Dynamic-quenching of a single-photon avalanche photodetector using an adaptive resistive switch

TL;DR

This paper introduces an adaptive resistive switch to improve the quenching speed of single-photon avalanche diodes, achieving significantly faster recovery times and enhanced frequency response compared to traditional passive resistor methods.

Contribution

It presents a novel bias-dependent adaptive resistive switch that dynamically modulates resistance, enabling faster quenching and recharging of single-photon avalanche diodes.

Findings

Achieved avalanche pulse widths as small as ~30 ns

Demonstrated 10x faster response than passive quenching

Validated model of resistance change during diode operation

Abstract

One of the most common approaches for quenching single-photon avalanche diodes is to use a passive resistor in series with it. A drawback of this approach has been the limited recovery speed of the single-photon avalanche diodes. High resistance is needed to quench the avalanche, leading to slower recharging of the single-photon avalanche diodes depletion capacitor. We address this issue by replacing a fixed quenching resistor with a bias-dependent adaptive resistive switch. Reversible generation of metallic conduction enables switching between low and high resistance states under unipolar bias. As an example, using a Pt/Al2O3/Ag resistor with a commercial silicon single-photon avalanche diodes, we demonstrate avalanche pulse widths as small as ~30 ns, 10x smaller than a passively quenched approach, thus significantly improving the single-photon avalanche diodes frequency response. The experimental results are consistent with a model where the adaptive resistor dynamically changes its resistance during discharging and recharging the single-photon avalanche diodes.