Active quenching circuit for avalanche photodiodes
US4963727A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/4466
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The quenching circuit comprises a signal comparator (CP) having a first input connected to the photodiode (SPAD) under control and a second input connected to a balancing impedance (C) equal to that of the photodiode. At the output of the comparator (CP) there is connected a signal generator (M), which generates a quenching signal (S) having a predetermined duration each time there is an imbalance between the two inputs of the comparator (CP). Circuital switching means (I1, I2, I3, I4) are provided, capable of holding the bias voltage of the photodiode normally high and of lowering it below the breakdown level following the generation and for the entire holding time of the quenching signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.