Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices for detecting photons, including avalanche photon detectors, arrays of such detectors, and circuits including such arrays. In some aspects, the detectors and arrays include a virtual beveled edge mesa structure surrounded by resistive material damaged by ion implantation and having side wall profiles that taper inwardly towards the top of the mesa structures, or towards the direction from which the ion implantation occurred. Other aspects are directed to masking and multiple implantation and/or annealing steps. Furthermore, methods for fabricating and using such devices, circuits and arrays are disclosed.
Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices for detecting photons, including avalanche photon detectors, arrays of such detectors, and circuits including such arrays. In some aspects, the detectors and arrays include a virtual beveled edge mesa structure surrounded by resistive material damaged by ion implantation and having side wall profiles that taper inwardly towards the top of the mesa structures, or towards the direction from which the ion implantation occurred. Other aspects are directed to masking and multiple implantation and/or annealing steps. Furthermore, methods for fabricating and using such devices, circuits and arrays are disclosed.
Abstract: A novel detector apparatus and detection method for measuring temperature exploit the avalanche transition edge, and are useful for contact and remote sensing & imaging and microbolometry of thermal, THz, LWIR/MWIR/SWIR/NIR, and visible light. The invention allows uncooled operation at kHz frame rates.
Abstract: The invention provides a means of enhancing the dynamic range and linearity of photodetectors and imaging photodetector arrays. This is achieved by combining Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) capable of high efficiency detection of single photons and conventional semiconductor photodetectors with poor noise floors to simultaneously achieve high efficiency detection of single photons and a wide dynamic range.