PDM Series
The PDM series photon counting detector modules are all solid-state instruments. They have high photon detection efficiency and generate an output pulse per detected photon with better than 50ps FWHM photon timing resolution. A versions with an optical FC connector, able to couple SingleMode or MultiMode fibres, is available.
High Photon Detection Efficiency
up to 49% @ 550nm
Best-in class Timing Accuracy
< 50ps FWHM
Low Dark Count Rate
as low as 1 cps, depending
on detector diameter
High performance uniformity
across detector area
MODULE FEATURES
• 20µm, 50µm,100µm and 200µm active sensing area diameter
• Window and Fiber Receptacle versions available
• Available in different Grade depending on Dark Counts specifications
• Peltier-cooled
• FC connector with coupling efficiency ≥ 80%
• Low power consumption
• Robust and low cost
BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION
• Confocal Microscopy
• Single Molecule Spectroscopy
• Ultra-Sensitive Fluorescence
• Time-correlated single photon
counting
• DNA & Drug Discovery
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
•Particle Sizing
• Optical testing of integrated
circuits
• Metrology by Time of Flight
measurements
QUANTUM APPLICATION
• Quantum Cryptography
• Single-photon source
characterisation
ASTRONOMY APPLICATION
• Optical Range Finding,
LIDAR & LADAR
• Astronomy Observations
& Adaptive Optics
Overview
The PDM photon counting detector series are all solid-state instruments that detect light from 375 nm to 1000 nm wavelength range. They have a peak photon detection efficiency of 49% at 550 nm and generate a TTL output pulse per detected photon. Standard TTL pulses provide better than 250 ps timing resolution. Anyway, they also generate an additional output pulse, according to the NIM standard, able to provide better than 50ps FWHM photon timing resolution. The excellent photon detection efficiency and superior timing resolution is obtained through the use of custom epitaxial silicon Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD), an integrated Active Quenching Circuits (iAQC), specifically designed and optimized for photon counting applications which generates the positive TTL pulses, and a fast timing circuit board, always installed in PDM modules, which generates the negative NIM pulses. The SPAD is thermoelectrically cooled and its temperature controlled, ensuring stabilized performance despite ambient temperature changes. Thanks to the use of an AQC, it is also possible to gate on or off the detector. The PDM GATE IN input is thus very useful for switching on the detector only during specific time windows for better noise rejection and increased signal-to-noise ratio. The GATE IN input is very useful also to be used as an interlock input whenever the user wants to switch off the detector if an event occurs. The PDM GATE IN input is also not designed to be used as a fast-gated module. In the scientific literature, a fast-gated detector is a detector than can be switched from the OFF state to the ON state very precisely and in very short periods of times, with falling or rising times in the order of few hundreds of ps. In this case the MPD FastGATED SPAD should be purchased. The PDM GATE IN input, indeed, is not designed to accept high repetition external trigger signals and should be used to gate ON or OFF the SPAD with minimum gate ON or GATE OFF times in the orders of few tens of microseconds or longer. The PDM maximum saturated count rate is the reverse of the deadtime, and it is 12-13 Mc/s. Of course, in order to avoid non-linearity errors in counting applications, a maximum count rate of at least four or five times smaller than the saturation level is recommended. At request custom deadtime can set for specific user needs. The module is fully protected against light overload. The PDM series is available with two optical interfaces: a free space optical window and a fibre connectorized version that guarantees > 80% coupling efficiency with selected fibres (see below for technical details).
Specifications
Specifications @ 25°C
Min
Typ
Max
Units
Photon Detection Efficiency
@ 400nm
@ 550nm
@ 650nm
21
45
34
24
49
37
%
Single Photon Timing Resolution
TTL Counting Output
NIM Timing Output
35
250
50
ps
(FWHM)
After-pulsing probability
0.1
3
%
Dead Time
77
ns
Supply
voltage
connector
unregulated DC, any value 5V ~ 12V
Standard 3.5mm supply socket
Outputs
Pulse rise and fall times
Output pulse duration
Required Termination
Pulse Characteristics - TTL
Pulse Characteristics - NIM
< 2ns
20ns typical
50 Ω
Digital, Positive, 0 to +3.3V
Digital, Negative, 0 to -700mV
Gating input
5V CMOS control (0V, detector off)
50Ω AC terminated, Internal 10kΩ pull-up
Grades Specifications
FC table guideline
Ordering Information
Products can be ordered directly from Micro Photon Devices or its representatives. For a complete list of representatives, visit our website at www.micro-photon-devices.com. Custom designed products are also available upon request.
Designed and built compliant with the European Union Directive 2011/65/CE (also known as RoHS 2)
Mechanical drawings