title: Photon counting techniques with silicon avalanche photodiodes.
abstract: The properties of avalanche photodiodes and associated electronics required for photon counting in the Geiger and the sub-Geiger modes are reviewed. When the Geiger mode is used, there are significant improvements reported in overall photon detection efficiencies (approaching 70% at 633 nm), and a timing jitter (under 200 ps) is achieved with passive quenching at high overvoltages (20-30 V). The results obtained by using an active-mode fast quench circuit capable of switching overvoltages as high as 15 V (giving photon detection efficiencies in the 50% range) with a dead time of less than 50 ns are reported. Larger diodes (up to 1 mm in diameter) that are usable in the Geiger mode and that have quantum efficiencies over 80% in the 500-800-nm range are also reported.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dautet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dion
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Macgregor
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macsween
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trottier
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Webb