Abstract: A system and method for detection, localization and signaling of single photon events and of at least two photons time coincidence events. The system includes at least one array of pixels, each of which includes a photodetector and a front-end electronics, which outputs a digital signal; at least one event detection electronics including: a plurality of digital-to-analog transducers, one for each pixel of the array, configured to convert the digital signal coming from the respective pixel in a corresponding analog signal, which is quantized in amplitude and duration; an analog adder node configured to sum the analog signals coming from the digital-to-analog transducers, obtaining a sum analog signal; and an overall analog-to-digital transducer. The system and method are ultimately configured to output a digital signal if an output signal of an analog adder node exceeds, respectively, a first threshold or the second threshold, allowing event detection, within a time window.

Abstract: A photodetector may include an array of microcells and an output module configured to collect, from each microcell, an output signal indicative of a photon detection and to combine the collected output signals in at least one output line. Each microcell comprises a first device and a second device, wherein at least one of the devices is a photosensitive device capable of detecting the photon; a time-gating module connected to said at least one photosensitive device and configured to provide a gate signal to the at least one photosensitive device to activate it; and a readout module configured to receive, upon arrival of the photon on the at least one activated photosensitive device, a corresponding signal from the at least one activated photosensitive device and, on the basis of the received signal, to provide the output signal to the output module.