Fast-gated single-photon counting technique widens dynamic range and speeds up acquisition time in time-resolved measurements

作者：Tosi Alberto^*; Dalla Mora Alberto; Zappa Franco; Gulinatti Angelo; Contini Davide; Pifferi Antonio; Spinelli Lorenzo; Torricelli Alessandro; Cubeddu Rinaldo

来源：Optics Express, 2011, 19(11): 10735-10746.

DOI：10.1364/OE.19.010735

In many time-domain single-photon measurements, wide dynamic range (more than 5 orders of magnitude) is required in short acquisition time (few seconds). We report on the results of a novel technique based on a time-gated Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) able to increase the dynamic range of optical investigations. The optical signal is acquired only in well-defined time intervals. Very fast 200-ps gate-ON transition is used to avoid the undesired strong signal, which can saturate the detector, hide the fainter useful signal and reduce the dynamic range. In experimental measurements, we obtained a dynamic range approaching 8 decades in few minutes of acquisition.

• 出版日期2011-5-23