Discriminating photo counts and dark counts in an avalanche photodiode output
US9121762B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2013 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J1/44
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.