PDM-IR
900 nm – 1700 nm Infrared Photon Detection Module
The PDM-IR is based on a cooled InGaAs/InP SPAD for the detection of near-infrared single photons up to 1700 nm. The module includes a pulse generator for gating the detector, a front-end circuit for avalanche sensing and a fast circuitry for detector quenching and resetting.
High Photon Detection Efficiency Up to 40% at 5V excess bias (VEX)
Best-in class Timing Accuracy < 100ps FWHM
Free Running and Gated Mode free running, free gate and gated mode with fine adjustable gate width operations
Fully programmable module Versatile Trigger and Gate mode, SPAD settings (excess bias, temperature, hold off), output selection, internal counters
MODULE FEATURES
• 25µm active-area diameter in Free Space version
• 10µm diameter SMF-28 Fibre Pigtailed version
• Sensitivity from 900nm to 1700nm
• Adjustable PDE and DCR
• Gate width from 1 ns to 10 us
• Int. or Async Ext. trigger up to 100 MHz,
• Aux In for advance trigger mode
• User selectable outputs (TTL and NIM)
• Integrated counters
• Timing output
BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION
• Confocal Microscopy
• Single Molecule Spectroscopy
• Ultra-Sensitive Fluorescence
• Time-correlated single photon
counting
• Single Molecule Detection
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
• Optical Testing of integrated circuits
• Metrology by Time of Flight
measurements
• Fiber optics characterization
QUANTUM APPLICATION
• Quantum Cryptography
• Quantum Optics
• Single-photon source
characterisation
ASTRONOMY APPLICATION
• Optical Range Finding,
LIDAR & LADAR
• Astronomy Observations &
Adaptive Optics
Overview
The PDM-IR is a photon counting module based on an InGaAs/InP Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) for the detection of near-infrared single photons up to 1700 nm. The module includes a programmable frequency and pulse generator for gating the detector, a front-end circuit for photodetector’s avalanche sensing, a fast circuit for detector’s avalanche current quenching and operative bias voltage resetting and some sub-circuits for signal conditioning. All the main parameters and delay paths are adjustable by the user through the software interface, in order to match the requirements of different applications. The system can be conveniently used both for counting and timing measurements, since the high-performance electronics guarantees a clean temporal response even with fast gate transitions. PDMIR can work either in free-runnging or in gated mode and the optical interface can be chosen between a free space and a pigtailed version.
Principle of operation
The PDM-IR can be used either in gated or in free-running mode. Both modes of operations can be optimized through the use of several user selectable parameters, all controllable from a computer using either the delivered SDK library or the provided Windows® PC software. When used in gated, the TRIGGER GATE signal, for GATE frequency generation, can be provided either using an INTERNAL TRIGGER or through an external signal fed into the TRIGGER IN input. Complex external trigger patterns can be also fed to the TRIGGER IN input, since it accepts not only periodic but also aperiodic signals. Additionally, it is possible to create even more complex TRIGGER GATE patterns for GATE generation, by combining the auxiliary input AUX IN signal with the INTERNAL TRIGGER or the TRIGGER IN, and by using the provided user-selectable logic. Finally, GATE signal can be generated either by exactly replicating TRIGGER GATE or by creating a new signal, synchronized with the rising edge of TRIGGER GATE and with a programmable fixed gated-ON width. When used in free running mode the SPAD is always on until a SPAD avalanche is initiated. In this case, the avalanche current is first quenched and then, after a well-defined programmable hold-off, the detector is immediately enabled. Concerning the SPAD parameters Hold-OFF time, excess bias voltage and SPAD temperature, they are all user selectable to get the best results from the measurement Concerning the outputs: PHOTON OUT is the low timing jitter output signal, precisely marking the photon detection time; NIM AUX OUT and TTL AUX OUT, instead, shouldn’t be used for low jitter timing measurement and the output signal can be chosen independently, on each out channel, among TRIGGER GATE, INTERNAL TRIGGER, VALID GATE, PHOTON OUT and HOLD OFF signals. Independently on the chosen PDM-IR mode of operation, the module has also internal counters that continuously monitor the following signals: TRIGGER IN, AUX IN, INTERNAL TRIGGER, PHOTON OUT and VALID GATE. Specially in case of the PHOTON OUT, these counters are useful for counting applications whenever an external counter is not available. Finally, in the PDM-IR, all the main signal paths have a programmable delay, designed to help the user in synchronizing the various signals between them and with the external instruments. This feature is very helpful in many applications as it allows to avoid the hassle of continuously changing the cable length.
PDM-IRcontrol
The PDM-IR module is controlled through a PC software interface or the SDK library. With the user-friendly software, it is possible to set all the programmable parameters, like gate settings, SPAD settings, outputs, and get the counters value. The software can save and load up to 10 configurations and set one of them as power up configuration. The power up configuration is automatically applied and the SPAD is turned on after few seconds from the powering time.
Specifications1
Parameter
Notes
Min
Typ
Max
Units
Active area diameter
Free space
25
µm
FC/PC fibre pigtailed (SMF-28)
10
Photon Detection Efficiency
Vex = 2V, λ=1550nm
10
%
timing jitter (FWHM)
At VEX = 6 V
70
ps
DCR
Vex = 2 V, Temp = 229K FREE SPACE
8
10
kcps
Vex = 2 V, Temp = 229K SM Fiber-pigtailed
1
2
kcps
SPAD Temperature
SW Selectable
225
243
K
Gate rise time
(20% - 80%)
2
ns
Excess Bias range
Free Gate and Free Running
2
5
V
Fixed Gate
2
7
V
Hold-off time
SW selectable @ 10 ns step
1
3000
µs
Gate width
SW selectable @ 1 ns step
1 n
1.5 m
s
Gate repetition frequency
100
MHz
Internal Trigger Frequency
SW selectable @ 1 Hz step
100
100 M
Hz
Delay path
SW selectable @ 1 ns step
0
100
ns
Counter Integration Time
SW selectable @ 20 ms step
0.1
60
s
PHOTON OUT, NIM OUT
NIM output
-800
0
mV
Required Load (DC)
50
Ω
PHOTON OUT
Pulse width
10
ns
TRIGGER IN, AUX IN
Amplitude
-2
2.5
V
Load Impedance (DC)
50
Ω
Pulse width
800
ps
TTL OUT
Output levels
0
2.7
V
Required Load (DC)
50
Ω
1See the user-manual for the full list of module’s specifications. Module designed and built compliant with the European Union Directive 2011/65/CE (also known as RoHS 2).
System requirements (software and SDK)
· Host computer (minimum requirements): USB 2.0 interface, 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM
· Supported operating systems
- VisualPDM-IR
- Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8,10, 32 or 64 bit versions
- SDK:
- Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8,10, 32 or 64 bit versions
- Linux Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Fedora Core 15 or compatible distributions, 32 or 64 bit versions
- Mac OS X 10.7.5 and above
Mechanical Dimensions
Ordering Information
The PDM-IR can be ordered directly from Micro Photon Devices or its representatives. The ordering codes for purchasing the PDM-IR are:
$PI-025-W (PDM-IR / Windowed 25um SPAD Detector System)
$PI-010-SM (PDM-IR / SMF28 Fiberpigtailed Detector System)
Included with the module are the following items/accessories: the module’s power supply, a USB key containing the installation software and the user manual in PDF® format and module’s test report.