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Title:
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Self-triggered method for characterization of single-photon detectors.
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Authors:
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Ferreira da Silva T
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Source:
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Applied optics [Appl Opt] 2016 Mar 01; Vol. 55 (7), pp. 1565-70.
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Publication Type:
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Journal Article
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Language:
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English
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Imprint Name(s):
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Publication: Washington, DC : Optica Publishing Group
Original Publication: Easton, Pa., Optical Society of America.
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Entry Date(s):
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Date Created: 20160315 Date Completed: 20160714 Latest Revision: 20181023
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Update Code:
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20240104
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DOI:
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10.1364/AO.55.001565
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PMID:
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26974614
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Single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) are instruments capable of measuring light at the single-photon level. Some important features of these devices must be correctly characterized for reliable application. In this paper, I present a high-resolution self-triggered method for characterization of SPADs based on the analysis of the time intervals between consecutive detection events with the detector under continuous-wave illumination. The self-triggered method is employed for characterization of the detection dead time-a limiting feature for the maximum counting rate achievable under free-running or gated modes--and of the temporal gate width--an important parameter when the detector is operated under gated mode. The measurement results are presented and the method is experimentally validated.