Comparison of linear-mode avalanche photodiode lidar receivers for use at one-micron wavelength

Michael A. Krainak; Xiaoli Sun; Guangning Yang; Wei Lu

doi:10.1117/12.852906

28 April 2010 Comparison of linear-mode avalanche photodiode lidar receivers for use at one-micron wavelength

Michael A. Krainak, Xiaoli Sun, Guangning Yang, Wei Lu

Proceedings Volume 7681, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques IV; 76810Y (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.852906
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) detectors have been used in most space lidar receivers to date with a sensitivity that is typically hundreds of photons per pulse at 1064 nm, and is limited by the quantum efficiency, APD gain noise, dark current, and preamplifier noise. We have purchased and tested InGaAs avalanche photodiode based receivers from several US vendors as possible alternatives. We present our measurement results and a comparison of their performance to our baseline silicon APD. Using a multichannel scalar instrument, we observed undesired dark counts in some devices, even though the APDs were biased below the breakdown voltage. These effects are typically associated with over-biased Geiger-mode photoncounting, but we demonstrate that the probability distribution indicates their necessity at the high gains typically associated with operation slightly below the breakdown voltage. We measured the following parameters for our 0.8 mm diameter baseline silicon APD receiver: excess noise factor 2.5, bandwidth 210 MHz, minimum detectable pulse (10 ns) in incident photons 110 photons, noise equivalent power 30 fW/rt-Hz. We present our test procedures and results for the InGaAs based APD receivers.

Citation Download Citation

Michael A. Krainak, Xiaoli Sun, Guangning Yang, and Wei Lu "Comparison of linear-mode avalanche photodiode lidar receivers for use at one-micron wavelength", Proc. SPIE 7681, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques IV, 76810Y (28 April 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.852906

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available