An instrumentation based on a silicon monolithic array of 60 photon counters [single-photon avalanche diode array (SPADA)] for state-of-the-art measurements of fast transient phenomena and adaptive optics (AO) is presented. The fabricated solid-state photon counters are rugged, easy to be integrated in the optical system, free from read-out noise, and provide very fast frame rates (< 10 kHz) and nanosecond electronic gating. The detection electronics includes an integrated active-quenching circuit (AQC) for each pixel of the array. The real-time dataprocessing board is implemented into a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a digital signal processor (DSP) and is configurable for dealing with different applications: acquisition and processing of two-dimensional (2-D) images with fast frame rate and extraction of the curvature wavefront for adaptive optics applications. The optical and electrical characterization of the detectors and the associated electronics is reported.
Single-photon avalanche diode arrays for fast transients and adaptive optics
SALETTI, ROBERTO;RONCELLA, ROBERTO;
2006-01-01
Abstract
An instrumentation based on a silicon monolithic array of 60 photon counters [single-photon avalanche diode array (SPADA)] for state-of-the-art measurements of fast transient phenomena and adaptive optics (AO) is presented. The fabricated solid-state photon counters are rugged, easy to be integrated in the optical system, free from read-out noise, and provide very fast frame rates (< 10 kHz) and nanosecond electronic gating. The detection electronics includes an integrated active-quenching circuit (AQC) for each pixel of the array. The real-time dataprocessing board is implemented into a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a digital signal processor (DSP) and is configurable for dealing with different applications: acquisition and processing of two-dimensional (2-D) images with fast frame rate and extraction of the curvature wavefront for adaptive optics applications. The optical and electrical characterization of the detectors and the associated electronics is reported.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
