LASER COMPONENTS COUNT Series User manual

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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Mounting the Count®modules 2
Front-side 2
Base plate 2
Operation 3
Handling single photon counting modules 3
Heat dissipation 3
Gating function and TTL output 3
Optical ber connection
Electrical connections (rear side) 4
Powering up the module 4
Optimizing performance 4
Performance 5
Spectral response 5
Timing resolution 5
Correction factor 6
Technical Data 7
Technical specications for COUNT®module 7
Technical sSpecications for COUNT® BLUE module 8
Technical specications for COUNT® NIR module 9
Absolute maximum ratings 10
Interface information 10
Individual module test data 10
ESD information 10
Safety 10
RoHS compliance 10
Warranty 10
Product number designations 11
Support 11
3
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Introduction
LASER COMPONENNTS’ COUNT®series of single photon counting modules has been developed to offer a
unique combination of high photon detection efciency, wide dynamic range, low dark count rate and ease of
use for photon counting applications. Combining LASER COMPONENTS’ ultra-low-noise VLoK silicon avalanche
photodiode with specially developed quenching and signal processing electronics, the module offers everything
needed for single photon detection from 400 – 1000 nm. Incoming photons generate corresponding electrical
pulses which may be conveniently read out at the TTL output. The optional FC connector provides a convenient
method for connecting the module to the sample using a multimode optical ber.
Mounting the Count®modules
The COUNT®can be either mounted from the front-side or by using the dedicated mounting holes on the base
plate.
Front-side
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
The front side of the COUNT®provides two mounting options:
1 - a C-mount thread (1-32 UN).
2 - two mounting holes with 8-32 UNC thread, depth 8 mm.
Please note that you still have to take into account the weight of the detector when this mounting style is used!
Base plate
The base plate of the COUNT®provides 6 mounting holes (3 holes each side) with a diameter of 3.9 mm.
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Operation
Handling single photon counting modules
The avalanche photodiode inside the COUNT®is an extremely sensitive device. It can be permanently
damaged by over-exposure to intense light.
The COUNT®contains a high voltage supply. Users may be injured if the case has been opened. All internal
settings are pre-set; there are no user adjustments necessary. Opening the case will invalidate the warranty.
Excessive light level (e.g. daylight) might damage a powered COUNT®. Precautions should be taken to avoid
such situations or, alternatively, to monitor the count rate (e. g. the DSN102 from PicoQuant GmbH) and
eventually interrupt the power supply to the COUNT®using.
When the COUNT®detector is mounted on another instrument, ensure that the optical connection is light-tight.
Handle the COUNT®detector with care. Do not drop it or expose it to excessive mechanical shocks or
vibrations.
Heat dissipation
In order to avoid damage to the module adequate heat sinking must be provided by placing or mounting the
module onto a suitable heat sink, e.g. an optical table.
Gating function, TTL output
The COUNT®module features a gating input provided as standard. This can be used for viewing a signal that
occurs only in a small timeframe window, or in applications with very weak signals and higher background light.
The output of the module is disabled when a TTL low level is applied to the gate input. Applying a TTL high level
will enable the modue and permit photon detection. If the gate input is left uconnected, the module is enabled
by default.
Optical ber connection
The COUNT®-XX-FC has a ber-optic receptacle pre-alighned to the optical detector surface. The GRIN lens
used in this assembly is optimized and AR-coated in accordance to the COUNT®module type: classic, NIR or
blue.
To avoid stray light impigning on the detector and affecting the count rate, any optical ber assembly attached
to the FC connector must be completely opaque.
Always switch off the module before connecting or disconnecting the gating input and the TTL output.
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
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Laser Components Germany GmbH
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Electrical connections (rear side)
1 - Power Supply (2-pin LEMO connector, type EXG.0B.302). This is for the optional +12 V DC power
adapter COUNT®-PSU (sold separately). Alternatively, the appropriate cable from the COUNT®- PSU is
connected here. The appropriate mating connector is the LEMO FGG.0B.302.CLAD42.
2 - Gating input (SMA female). Connect a TTL signal to this input in order to enable (TTL high, >2.4 V) or
disable (TTL low) counting.
3 - TTL signal output (LEMO connector, type EPS-00.250). A double shielded RG233/U coaxial cable
is recommended. Suited Lemo connector types are e. g. FFS.00.250 or the Lemo/BNC adapter type
ABF.00.250.CTA (available upon request).
Note: the output should be terminated into a 50 Ohms load.
In order to power up the module, simply plug-in the AC adapter in the power supply connector. After power on,
allow 30 seconds settling time in which the sensor will be cooled down to its operating temperature.
NOTE: the COUNT®will not generate any output signal until the operating temperature has been reached.
Optimizing performance
The COUNT®shows best performance if the light is focussed to a small spot (<50 µm diameter) in the center of
the sensor area. Please also see Fig. 2 of the COUNT®datasheet. Mounting the COUNT®on a suitable x, y,
z-translation table or other means of positioning mechanics is therefore recommended.
Off-center focussing or overlling the sensor area might lead to a signicant lower detection efciency
and/or increased FWHM of the photon timing resolution.
The FC-connector version is pre-aligned for bers of core diameter <105 µm, NA ≤0.29, and requires no
further optimisation.
12
3
+12V
GND
Powering up the module
Before powering up the module it is strongly advised to make sure that no light reaches the sensor.
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
Germany and Other Countries
Laser Components Germany GmbH
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Performance
Spectral response
The COUNT®can be used to detect single photons in the spectral range between approx. 400 nm and
1000 nm. It is possible to detect below 400 nm and above 1000 nm, the value are however not specied.
The typical detection efciency of COUNT®-series as a function of wavelength is shown in gure 1.
Timing resolution
The single photon timing resolution of the COUNT®depends on three factors and is generally different for every
single module (please see the test report of your COUNT®for details):
1. Detection wavelength - the best photon timing resolution (i. e. smallest FWHM) is generally achieved around
680 nm. The FWHM increases slightly towards blue and NIR detection wavelengths.
2. Focusing quality - for optimum timing resolution the light should be focused to a small spot (< 50 µm) in the
center of the sensor. Off-center focusing or overlling the sensor area might lead to an increased FWHM of
the photon timing resolution.
3. Count rate - the FWHM of the photon timing resolution increases at high count rates.
Especially at count rates >1 million counts/second the FWHM may be double the value at low count rates.
The temporal stability of the pulse output also depends on the count rate. In general, high count rates lead to
a relative shift of the pulse to later times.
The total shift may reach 800 ps at count rates >1 million counts/second.
Fig. 1: Typical detection efciency COUNT®-series and
COUNT®-NIR series as a function of wavelength
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00
60,00
70,00
80,00
Pd , %
wavelength, nm
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Correction factor
Every COUNT®has an inherent dead time of approx. 43 ns after detecting a photon. During this dead time, the
COUNT®is "blind" and can not detect further photons. As a consequence, the measured count rate is lower than
the true incident photon rate. The photon rate can be calculated from the measured counting rate as follows:
where Rphoton = actual incident photon rate
Rmeasured = measured count rate
TD= dead time of the module
The dead time effect can also be seen as a deviation from the unity of the ratio between the incident photon rate
and the measured count rate.
The correction factor can be used to correct the non-linearity especially at high light levels.
Rmeasured
Rphoton = 1 – Rmeasured ∙TD
The following two gures demonstrate the effect of the dead time on the measured count rate and its correction
factor.
Correction Factor = =
Rphoton
Rmeasured
1
(1– Rmeasured *TD
)
Fig. 2: Measured count rate vs. actual photon rate
for a dead time of 43 ns.
Fig. 3: Correction factor vs. photon rate for a dead
time of 43 ns
1,E+02
1,E+03
1,E+04
1,E+05
1,E+06
1,E+07
1,E+08
1,E+02 1,E+03 1,E+04 1,E+05 1,E+06 1,E+07 1,E+08
M EA SRUED CO UN T RATE, H Z
REA L PH O TO N RA TE, H Z
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1,E+02 1,E+03 1,E+04 1,E+05 1,E+06 1,E+07 1,E+08 1,E+09
correction factor
real photon rate, Hzl
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Spectral range 400 1000 nm
Dark count rate
COUNT®-10C
COUNT®-20C
COUNT®-50C
COUNT®-100C
COUNT®-250C
10
20
50
100
250
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Photon detection efciency Pd1at:
405 nm
520 nm
670 nm
810 nm
5
40
60
40
15
55
75
50
%
%
%
%
Pd variation with FC-connection 5 %
Pd variation at constant temperature 1 %
Dark count rate variation at constant temperature 5 %
Active area diameter (nominal) 2100 µm
Timing resolution 31000 ps
Afterpulsing probability 40.2 1 %
Dead time 42 45 48 ns
Gating input voltage
Gating on (= disable module)
Gating off (= enable module)
TTL low (<0.5)
TTL high (>2.4)
V
V
Gating input response time
Gating on (= disable module)
Gating off (= enable module)
15
60
20
65
ns
ns
TTL output pulse length 15 17 ns
TTL output pulse amplitude (into 50 Ohm) 3 V
Delay between photon impact and TTL pulse 30 ns
Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V
Supply current (switch on) 0.8 A
Supply current (operation at 1 Mcps) 0.2 A
1 Specications valid for modules without FC-connector.
2The active area of the integrated Si-APD is larger than 100 µm. The FC-version is optimised for optical bers with core diameter <105 µm.
The pre-aligned GRIN lens focuses the light onto a spot of < 70 µm diameter in the centre of the detector.
The NA of the ber used with the module is recommended to be ≤ 0.29.
3Timing resolution depends on count rate and wavelength.
4Dened for a time interval from 0 to 500 ns.
Technical Data
Technical specications for COUNT®module
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
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10/21 / V21 / OS-IF / manuals/lc-photon-counter/count-series-user-manual
Technical specications for COUNT® BLUE module
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Spectral range 350 1000 nm
Dark count rate
COUNT®-10B
COUNT®-20B
COUNT®-50B
COUNT®-100B
COUNT®-250B
10
20
50
100
250
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Photon detection efciency Pd1at:
405 nm
520 nm
670 nm
50
60
50
55
70
55
%
%
%
Pd variation with FC-connection 5 %
Pd variation at constant temperature 1 %
Dark count rate variation at constant temperature 5 %
Active area diameter (nominal) 2100 µm
Timing resolution 31000 ps
Afterpulsing probability 40.2 %
Dead time 42 45 48 ns
Gating input voltage
Gating on (=disable module)
Gating off (=enable module)
TTL low (<0.5)
TTL high (>2.4)
V
V
Gating input response time
Gating on (=disable module)
Gating off (=enable module)
15
60
20
65
ns
ns
TTL output pulse length 15 17 ns
TTL output pulse amplitude (into 50 Ohm) 3 V
Delay between photon impact and TTL pulse 30 ns
Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V
Supply current (switch on) 0.8 A
Supply current (operation at 1 Mcps) 0.2 A
1Specications valid for modules without FC connector.
2The active area of the integrated Si-APD is larger than 100 µm. The FC-version is optimised for optical bers with core diameter <105 µm.
The pre-aligned GRIN lens focuses the light onto a spot of < 70 µm diameter in the centre of the detector. The NA of the ber used with the
module is recommended to be ≤ 0.15. For bers with a NA ≤ 0.29 and a core diamenter of ≤ 105 μm special FC-versions are available
for wavelengths ≥ 500 nm.
3Timing resolution depends on count rate and wavelength.
4Dened for a time interval from 0 to 500 ns.
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
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Technical specications for COUNT®NIR module
Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Spectral range 400 1000 nm
Dark count rate
COUNT-50N
COUNT-100N
COUNT-250N
COUNT-500N
50
100
250
500
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Counts/s
Photon detection efciency Pd1at:
405 nm
520 nm
670 nm
810 nm
40
60
50
10
50
70
60
%
%
%
%
Pd variation with FC-connection 5 %
Pd variation at constant temperature 1 %
Dark count rate variation at constant temperature 5 %
Active area diameter (nominal) 2100 µm
Timing resolution 31000 ps
Afterpulsing probability 40.2 1 %
Dead time 42 45 48 ns
Gating input voltage
Gating on (= disable module)
Gating off (= enable module)
TTL low (<0.5)
TTL high (>2.4)
V
V
Gating input response time
Gating on (= disable module)
Gating off (= enable module)
15
60
20
65
ns
ns
TTL output pulse length 15 17 ns
TTL output pulse amplitude (into 50 Ohm) 3 V
Delay between photon impact and TTL pulse 30 ns
Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V
Supply current (switch on) 0.8 A
Supply current (operation at 1 Mcps) 0.2 A
1 Specications valid for modules without FC-connector
2The active area of the integrated Si-APD is larger than 100 µm. The FC-version is optimised for optical bers with core diameter <105 µm.
The pre-aligned GRIN lens focuses the light onto a spot of < 70 µm diameter in the centre of the detector. The NA of the ber used with the
module is recommended to be ≤ 0.29.
3Timing resolution depends on count rate and wavelength.
4Dened for a time interval from 0 to 500 ns.
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
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Absolute maximum ratings
Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V
Operating temperature 10 40 °C
Humidity at 40°C 85 %
Storage temperature -20 70 °C
Count rate 20 MCounts/s
Interface information
▪Power Supply: LEMO connector, item number FGG.0B.302.CLAD42
(optional COUNT power supply is available upon request product code COUNT-PSU).
▪Gate input: SMA connector
▪TTL output: LEMO connector, compatible with LEMO/BNC adapter ABF.00.250.CTA
(available upon request).
▪Optical input (FC connector version): compatible with standard FC/PC-connector, suitable for ber core
diameters up to 105 µm.
Individual module test data
Each module is supplied with test data indicating the module’s actual dark count, dead time, photon detection
efciency @ 405 nm, 520 nm, 670 nm and 810 nm, timing jitter and afterpulsing probability.
ESD Information
Modules should only be handled at an ESD-safe work station.
Safety
The COUNT®-Series contains a high voltage power supply. Users may be injured
if the case has been opened. All internal settings are pre-set; there are no user adjustments.
Units that appear defective or have suffered mechanical damage should not be
used because of possible electrical shorting of the high voltage power supply.
Opening the case may damage sensitive components and expose the user to the
risk of electrical shock. Please contact factory for repairs.
RoHS compliance
The COUNT®-Series is designed and built to be fully compliant with the European Union Directive
2011/65/EU.
Warranty
A standard 12-month warranty following shipment applies. Any warranty expires if the module case has been opened.
The warranty is void if the module input exceeds 12.5 V.
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
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C O U N T®X X Y F C
Dark count rate
10 = 10 c/s
20 = 20 c/s
50 = 50 c/s
100 = 100 c/s
250 = 250 c/s
500 = 500 c/s
FC-Connector (optional)
B = COUNT® BLUE
C = COUNT®
Standard
N = COUNT®NIR
Product number designations
Support
Your COUNT
®
module has undergone thorough tests at LASER COMPONENTS. It is stable and reliable.
Nevertheless, we continually make improvements that will be incorporated into future versions.
In any case, we would like to offer you our best support. Please do not hesitate to contact
LASER COMPONENTS if you need assistance with your system. If you observe any errors, please e-mail a
detailed description of the problem and relevant circumstances, to [email protected]. Your feedback
will help us to improve the product and documentation.
Of course we also appreciate good news. If you have obtained exciting results with one of our systems, please
let us know, and where appropriate, mention us in your publications.
Retraction of old devices
Waste electrical products must not be disposed of with household waste. This equipment should be taken to your
local recycling center for safe treatment.
WEEE-Reg.-No. De96457402
Product Changes
LASER COMPONENTS reserves the right to make changes to the product(s) or information contained herein
without notice. No liability is assumed as a result to their use or application.
Ordering Information
Products can be ordered directly from LASER COMPONENTS or its representatives. For a complete listing of
representatives, visit our website at www.lasercomponents.com
Single Photon Counting Module
COUNT®-Series User Manual
Detectors
Germany and Other Countries
Laser Components Germany GmbH
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
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