SPAD 93
A high-performance single-photon detector array.
Ideal point detector
Wide detection spectra and low noise
High dynamic range
Plug and play
SPAD 93, advanced single-photon detector array
SPAD 93 is a detector array with 93 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: SPAD93G, SPAD 93 GREEN, SPAD93.
For consistency and clarity, note that these names refer to the same product.
Ideal point detector
SPAD 93 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 sensitivity 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 3.6 Gcps over the whole array. Time-to-digital converters per pixel enable a fine timing resolution down to 20 ps with 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 93 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.
| Properties | SPAD 93 |
|---|---|
| Array size | 93 pixels |
| Peak detection probability | 55% @ 520 nm |
| Wavelength window | 440-660 nm |
| Fill factor (collimated light) | >80% |
| Median dark count rate | <100 cps |
| Maximum pixel count rate | 39.3 Mcps |
| Maximum system bandwidth (USB-3) | 3 Gbps |
| Maximum photon throughput (counting mode) | 3.6 Gcps |
| Maximum photon throughput (timing mode) | 70 Mcps |
| Timing resolution TDC system | 20 ps |
| Power consumption | <2 W |
| External SMA triggers | dwell clock line clock frame clock laser clock |
| Peltier cooling | ✔ |
| Protective glass window | ✔ |
| Robust metal enclosure | ✔ |
