Electronics for single photon avalanche diode arrays

This is the second of two serial papers dealing with single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) topics. Aim of the series is to discuss in depth the features and device structures of the array chip we developed (in the first paper) and the required fast electronics and the overall performance reached in passive, active, and gated regime (in this second paper). Main motif of the two papers is to present a compact system for 2D counting and time-tagging of single photons, based on a monolithic array sensor of 60 pixels, the single photon avalanche diode array (SPADA). In this second paper we review the electronics needed to actively quench and actively reset each pixel after avalanche ignition, namely the active-quenching circuit (AQC), since the features of such quenching electronics dramatically affect the operating conditions of the array detector and its actual performance. Design criteria, performances and technological process for manufacturing integrated AQCs will be thoroughly discussed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.