Princeton Lightwave Introduces an Avalanche Photodetector Optimized for Photon Counting at 1.06 µm

Cranbury, N.J., January 3, 2007

Princeton Lightwave, Inc. (PLI), introduces the first Indium Phosphide single photon counting APD (SPAD) designed for optimum performance at 1.06 µm.

The PLI 1.06 µm SPAD bridges the performance gap between Silicon and conventional Indium Phosphide devices. Silicon, which reaches its maximum responsivity below 1µm suffers from very low detection efficiency at 1.06 µm. Alternatively, conventional Indium Phosphide SPADs, with a responsivity peak at 1.55 µm, have excellent detection efficiency but the excess noise generated by the unused spectrum increases the dark count rate at 1.06 µm.

The device designed by Princeton Lightwave combines an adjustment in the spectral peak through material engineering with single photon capabilities stemming from prior designs for longer wavelengths. The result is a SPAD with peak responsivity at 1.06µm which enables very low dark count rates while providing an order of magnitude larger detection efficiency compared to Silicon.

The device is available in sizes of 80 and 200 microns, packaged with a thermoelectric cooler inside a windowed TO-8 can. The low dark count rate will allow operations in either gated or non-gated mode. A detection efficiency of 50% is achievable.

Applications include all low-light YAG laser detection, time resolved spectroscopy in biomedical, LIDAR and LADAR systems designed for remote sensing as well as for free-space optical transmission.

About Princeton Lightwave:
Headquartered in Cranbury, NJ, Princeton Lightwave provides leading edge semiconductor lasers and detectors for optical communications, instrumentation and defense applications. PLI's rich product capability is based upon unique GaAS and InP optical chip design, packaging and integration technology. For more information visit www.princetonlightwave.com.

Contact:
Sales@Princetonlightwave.com
PR@princetonlightwave.com

 
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