32 bin near-infrared time-multiplexing detector with attojoule single-shot energy resolution

Abstract

We present two implementations of photon counting time-multiplexing detectors for near-infrared wavelengths, based on Peltier cooled InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes. A first implementation is motivated by practical considerations using only commercially available components. It features 16 bins, pulse repetition rates of up to 22 kHz, and a large range of applicable pulse widths of up to 100 ns. A second implementation is based on rapid gating detectors, permitting dead times below 10 ns. This allows one to realize a high dynamic-range 32 bin detector, able to process pulse repetition rates of up to 6 MHz for pulse widths of up to 200 ps. Analysis of the detector response at 16.5% detection efficiency reveals a single-shot energy resolution on the attojoule level.