Ultra-low noise single-photon detector based on Si avalanche photodiode

TL;DR

This paper presents a lab-assembled silicon avalanche photodiode single-photon detector achieving ultra-low dark counts, high efficiency, and manageable afterpulsing through cooling and deadtime management.

Contribution

It demonstrates a practical, low-noise single-photon detection system with detailed characterization, advancing the performance of silicon-based detectors.

Findings

Dark count rate as low as 5 Hz at -80°C

Photon detection efficiency exceeds 50% at 806 nm

Afterpulsing remains manageable with deadtime adjustments

Abstract

We report operation and characterization of a lab-assembled single-photon detector based on commercial silicon avalanche photodiodes (PerkinElmer C30902SH, C30921SH). Dark count rate as low as 5 Hz was achieved by cooling the photodiodes down to -80 C. While afterpulsing increased as the photodiode temperature was decreased, total afterpulse probability did not become significant due to detector's relatively long deadtime in a passively-quenched scheme. We measured photon detection efficiency higher than 50% at 806 nm.