Linear-mode single photon counting APD arrays with subnanosecond, afterpulse-free performance for ladar, spectroscopy, and QKD applications

Epitaxial Technologies has developed a single photon counting photoreceiver that can operate in the linear mode to avoid the drawbacks of Geiger mode detectors. The Company's linear single photon counting photoreceiver array technology is based on cascading optical amplifiers on-chip with APDs to enable single photon capability below the APD breakdown voltage through ultra-low noise gain and preamplification. We have already demonstrated components for this photoreceiver that when implemented will have single photon sensitivities for subnanosecond pulses with high photon counting efficiency and without afterpulsing at 1064 and 1550-nm.