SPAD 23
A high-performance single-photon detector array optimized in the green.
Ideal point detector
Wide detection spectra and low noise
High timing resolution
Plug and play
SPAD 23, advanced single-photon detector array
The SPAD 23, is a detector array with 23 hexagonally packed single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) with best-in-class performance. It features both the capability of direct photon-counting and photon-time tagging to enable a wide range of single-photon detection applications.
*Other product names: SPAD23G, SPAD 23 GREEN, SPAD23, SPAD-23.
For consistency and clarity, note that these names refer to the same product.
Ideal point detector
SPAD 23 Green is the ideal solution for a confocal scanning setup. Each pixel can act as a virtual pinhole, increasing resolution and contrast.
Wide detection spectra and low noise
Our single-photon detectors are fabricated in a state-of-the-art CMOS process and offer an ultra-low dark count rate of less than 100 cps. Microlenses enhance the detection with a peak detection efficiency of over 45%.
High timing resolution
Real-time processing of photon events occurs in a field-programmable gate array. The detector can process up to 180 Mcps over the whole array. Time-to-digital converters per pixel enable a fine timing resolution down to 20 ps at a maximum photon flux of 70 Mcps.
Plug and play
The system requires just a 5V power adapter and USB3 cable to run. For full flexibility, 4 additional control lines can be connected to the SMA connectors. The SM1 optical port, the M2.5 and the M4 screw mounting positions offer a flexible integration into an existing optical setup.
The detector is bundled with an intuitive software interface. The software gives easy access to all functionalities offered by our detectors, allows for fast prototyping and makes acquiring single-photon data easier than ever.
For the advanced users, we offer full remote control through a standard TCP/IP interface. This enables the user to take full control of the system from any TCP/IP capable software package, such as Matlab, Octave, Labview and Python.
Thanks to its 23 pixels arranged in a hexagonal fashion, our detector is an ideal candidate to complement a scanning microscope.
It enables both the ability to generate super-resolution images beyond lights diffraction limits and timestamp individual photons to generate fluorescence lifetime images. Other applications include characterization of single-photon sources and the study of quantum properties.
To showcase real life examples of our detector in various applications, we refer to our applications page.
Read the full success story of the PDA-23 detector employed in PicoQuant’s Luminosa microscopes.
| Properties | SPAD 23 |
|---|---|
| Array size | 23 pixels |
| Peak detection probability | 55% @ 520 nm |
| Wavelength window | 400—950 nm |
| Fill factor (collimated light) | >80% |
| Median dark count rate | <100 cps |
| Maximum pixel count rate | 7.8 Mcps |
| Maximum system bandwidth (USB-3) | 3 Gbps |
| Maximum photon throughput (counting mode) | 180 Mcps |
| Maximum photon throughput (timing mode) | 70 Mcps |
| Timing resolution Standard system | 10 ns |
| Timing resolution TDC system | 20 ps |
| Timing synchronous to Standard System | internal clock |
| Timing synchronous to TDC System | laser clock |
| Power consumption Standard System | <1 W |
| Power consumption TDC System | <2 W |
| External SMA triggers Standard System | dwell clock line clock frame clock |
| External SMA triggers TDC System | dwell clock line clock frame clock laser clock |
| Peltier cooling | ✔ |
| Protective glass window | ✔ |
| Robust metal enclosure | ✔ |
