Abstract: A new reach-through APD structure which includes a five-layer, double-drift-region, double-junction device, having a p.sup.+ -p-n-p.sup.- -n.sup.+ structure. The middle three layers of the new APD constitute most of the thickness of the device and are fully depleted when the device is biased to its normal operating voltage. In the present invention, only primary carriers generated in the relatively narrow first drift region are subject to the full avalanche gain, resulting in dark current and noise levels much lower than conventional reach-through APD's. The new structure can be used to fabricate integrated arrays of APD's. These arrays are more durable and easily fabricated than are prior art APD's. Additionally, the new array structure does not require segmentation or isolation of the multiplying regions of the different elements of the array, allowing arrays to be made with little or no dead space between elements.

Abstract: An active quench circuit for interrupting the current flow in an avalanche photodiode (APD) operating in Geiger mode and for resetting the APD. The invention increases the speed of quenching and reduces the time required to bring the APD voltage back to its operating voltage above the breakdown voltage. The circuit includes a small inductor which isolates the reset circuit from the APD during the initial discharge and which provides a current pulse into the APD immediately after the end of the quenching operation to recharge the diode. The reset circuit also includes a diode assembly that increases the speed of the avalanche current pulse and that prevents the circuit from oscillating or latching under certain operating conditions. The circuit presents a low impedance to the APD during during reset, and is much less sensitive to the APD capacitance than prior art circuits.

Abstract: A bellows seal arrangement (50) seals a rotating shaft (30) passing through a housing wall (32). The seal uses two bellows (56, 58) of different effective diameters (B, C) that are connected in series by a coupling member (60). The series-connected bellows (56, 58) are fixed to the housing at one end and carry a seal insert (54) at the other providing a seal interface with a seal face member (38) rotating with shaft (30). The coupling member has bridging portions (62, 64) extending parallel to the bellows and spaced from respective stop surfaces (66, 68). Both bellows are responsive to the external pressure (P2) and to the internal (shaft side) pressure (P.sub.1). An excess of either pressure causes the larger effective diameter bellows (56) to expand or contract whereby one of the bridging portions (62, 64) abuts its stop surface (66, 68) to render one or other bellows inactive.