title: High-performance reconfigurable coincidence counting unit based on a field programmable gate array.
abstract: We present a high-performance reconfigurable coincidence counting unit (CCU) using a low-end field programmable gate array (FPGA) and peripheral circuits. Because of the flexibility guaranteed by the FPGA program, we can easily change system parameters, such as internal input delays, coincidence configurations, and the coincidence time window. In spite of a low-cost implementation, the proposed CCU architecture outperforms previous ones in many aspects: it has 8 logic inputs and 4 coincidence outputs that can measure up to eight-fold coincidences. The minimum coincidence time window and the maximum input frequency are 0.47 ns and 163 MHz, respectively. The CCU will be useful in various experimental research areas, including the field of quantum optics and quantum information.
authors.forename: Byung Kwon
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong-Su
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Osung
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moon