Single Photon Technology

We have a program to advance single photon detector technology. One effort adresses the problem of photon counting deadtime, which can significantly limit the maximum rate at which a detector can count photons. To reduce the effect of this problem, we have developed a scheme that multiplexes a number of detectors by an optical switch that remembers which detectors have fired last and directs incoming photons to a detector that is live. This scheme allows the detector system to operate as much higher count rates than is possible with a single detector.

Another issue that limits the maximum photon counting rates in some detectors is afterpulsing. This happens with the most common type of photon counting detectors- avalanche photodiodes. After this detector fires due to an incident photon there is a dead time to allow the detector to recover and be ready to detect a new photon. Unfortunately, when the detector is reactivated, there is a finite probability that it will issue a pulse, even with no incident photon. The probability of this false pulse decreases with the wait time before reactivation. To deal with this issue and reduce the rates of this afterpulsing, the detector is typically held off for a time that extends much beyond the deadtime. This further limits the maximum rates at which the detector can count photons. We have an ongoing program focused on this issue with a goal of increasing maximum detector counting rates.