Abstract:
The present invention relates to a single photon detector (SPD) in 1.55 μm based on an InGaAs/InP avalanche photo diode (APD.) To operate the SPD in low back pulse noise, a DC bias voltage which is lower than a breakdown voltage is applied to the InGaAs/InP APD. A bipolar rectangular gating signal is overlapped with the DC bias voltage and is applied to the APD to exceed the breakdown voltage during a gate-on time of each period of the gate signals. The usage of the bipolar rectangular gating signal is provided to operate the APD in a voltage which is lower than the breakdown voltage during a gate-off time, thereby rapidly discharging trapped charge carriers and reducing the back pulse noise. Therefore, the increase of the repetition rate of the SPD is possible. [Reference numerals] (102) Gate signal; (103) DC bias; (104) Bias tee; (106) Input signal; (107) Output signal