title: Hybrid photodetector for single-molecule spectroscopy and microscopy.
abstract: We report benchmark tests of a new single-photon counting detector based on a GaAsP photocathode and an electron-bombarded avalanche photodiode developed by Hamamatsu Photonics. We compare its performance with those of standard Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes. We show its advantages for FCS due to the absence of after-pulsing and for fluorescence lifetime measurements due to its excellent time resolution. Its large sensitive area also greatly simplifies setup alignment. Its spectral sensitivity being similar to that of recently introduced CMOS SPADs, this new detector could become a valuable tool for single-molecule fluorescence measurements, as well as for many other applications.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, 607 Charles E Young Drive E, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Michalet
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antelman
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suyama
authors.forename: Katsushi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arisaka
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiss