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Summary of Contents for MPD Technologies PDM-IR
- Page 1 900 nm – 1700 nm Infrared Photon Detection Module ã Micro Photon Devices S.r.l. Via Stradivari, 4 39100 Bolzano (BZ), Italy email info@micro-photon-devices.com Phone +39 0471 051212 • Fax +39 0471 501524 PDM-IR User Manual Version 3.0.3 - September 2018...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION THE INGAAS/INP SINGLE-PHOTON AVALANCHE DIODE Gated Mode Operation Free Running Operation Further readings PDM-IR HARDWARE CHARACTERISTICS Rear Panel Mechanical Dimension PDM-IR SPECIFICATIONS PDM-IR Trigger Section 4.1.1 Internal Trigger 4.1.2 Trigger In 4.1.3 Aux In 4.1.4 Logic Function PDM-IR Gate Section 4.2.1 Gated mode with fixed gate width operation 4.2.2... - Page 3 PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Installation Software Interface 5.2.1 Main Window: Trigger and Gate Section 5.2.2 Main Window: SPAD Section 5.2.3 Main Window: Output Section 5.2.4 Main Window: Status Section 5.2.5 Main Window: Counter Section 5.2.6 Counter Window 5.2.7 Module Selection Window 5.2.8...
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Page 4: Introduction
PDM-IR can work either in free-runnging or in gated mode (see paragraph 2) and the optical interface can be chosen between a free space and a pigtailed version as shown by Figure 1 and Figure 2. -
Page 5: The Ingaas/Inp Single-Photon Avalanche Diode
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 2 The InGaAs/InP Single-Photon Avalanche Diode The core of this module is a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD), housed into the Detection Head. The detector has a 25 μm diameter active area in case of the free space version or a 10 µm diameter SPAD when pigtailed with a single-mode fiber. - Page 6 PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 so are not counted. The correction considers how many photons have been counted and for how long, during the integration time, the SPAD has been kept really turned on. In order to calculate the true counting rate, thus, the following formula must be used: log ( 1 −...
- Page 7 CR counting-rate. Since the MPD PDM-IR biases the SPAD in gated mode and applies the hold-off every time an avalanche is detected, the two effects must be applied at the same time in order to obtain the correct photon counting rate CR from the measured counting rate CR.
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Page 8: Free Running Operation
PDM-IR. In this mode of operation, as shown in Figure 4, TRIGGER GATE signal is no more useful because the SPAD is always enabled until an avalanche is triggered. After each of them, the SPAD is disabled for the hold off time and then immediately and swiftly re-enabled. -
Page 9: Further Readings
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 2.3 Further readings Cova, S., Ghioni, M., Lacaita, A. L., Samori, C., and Zappa, F. “Avalanche photodiodes and quenching circuits single-photon detection”, Applied Optics, 35(12), 1956—1976 (1996). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.35.001956 Cova, S., Ghioni, M., Zappa, F., Rech, I., and Gulinatti, A., “A view on progress of silicon single-photon avalanche diodes and quenching circuits”, Proceedings of SPIE , 6372, pp. -
Page 10: Pdm-Ir Hardware Characteristics
3.0.3 3 PDM-IR hardware characteristics 3.1 Rear Panel The PDM-IR has USB, power, IOs connectors and LED lens on rear side as shown in Figure 5. A description of each component can be found in Table 1. Table 1. PDM-IR rear panel components RF output, requires 50 Ohm DC terminated transmission lines. -
Page 11: Mechanical Dimension
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 3.2 PDM-IR Mechanical Dimension Figure 6. Mechanical dimensions of the PDM-IR fiber pigtailed version. Micro Photon Devices S.r.l. – Italy All Rights Reserved... - Page 12 PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Figure 7. Mechanical dimensions of the PDM-IR free space version. Micro Photon Devices S.r.l. – Italy All Rights Reserved...
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Page 13: Pdm-Ir Specifications
4 PDM-IR Specifications The PDM-IR module is a complete system for photon counting in the NIR range (Figure 1, Figure 2) and it can be used either in gated or in free-running mode. Both modes of operations can be optimized through the use of several user selectable parameters, all controllable from a computer using either the delivered SDK library or the provided Windows®... -
Page 14: Pdm-Ir Trigger Section
In Figure 8 the full PDM-IR block diagram is shown, while in the next paragraphs we will describe the functions and the characteristics of each subsection of it. -
Page 15: Internal Trigger
The INTERNAL TRIGGER is an internally created waveform with a periodic pattern with fixed frequency (selectable by the user) and a duty cycle equal to 50%. In order to be able to synchronize the PDM-IR module with other instrumentations, set the TTL AUX OUT and/or the NIM AUX OUT to output the INTERNAL TRIGGER. -
Page 16: Trigger In
The TRIGGER IN, provided by the user, can be periodic or aperiodic, positive and/or negative. It’s normally used to synchronize the GATE signal of the PDM-IR with a LASER source that cannot be triggered. The user can set the threshold voltage and the significative edge. In Table 3 the Electrical characteristics of the TRIGGER IN input are illustrated. -
Page 17: Logic Function
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Table 4. Aux In electrical specifications. Parameter Symbol Description Min. Typ. Max. Unit Aux In Max Frequency 100 M Aux In Delay δ AUX_IN Aux In Delay step Aux In high voltage IH_AUX Aux In low voltage... -
Page 18: Pdm-Ir Gate Section
Figure 11. PDM-IR Gate Section Block diagram. 4.2 PDM-IR Gate Section The TRIGGER GATE signal (see Figure 11), coming from the PDM-IR Trigger Section (4.1), is shaped in order to generate the desiderated gate width and frequency, i.e. the EFFECTIVE GATE. The PDM-IR offers also three possible mode of generating the EFFECTIVE GATE signal and thus of operation: 1. -
Page 19: Gated Mode With Fixed Gate Width Operation
4.2.1 Gated mode with fixed gate width operation In this operating mode, shown in Figure 12, the PDM-IR generates a gate window, with a fixed width equal to T , for each TRIGGER GATE rising edge. -
Page 20: Gated Mode With Free-Gate Operation
4.2.2 Gated mode with Free-gate operation In gated mode with Free-gate operation (Figure 13), the PDM-IR works like the previous mode, generating a gate window for each trigger event, but GATE pulses replicate exactly those of TRIGGER GATE, apart of course when the HOLD OFF is applied. -
Page 21: Pdm-Ir Spad Section
After having discussed how the internal PDM-IR circuitry control the SPAD operation, the last component of the PDM-IR to be discussed is the SPAD itself. Indeed, in order to get the best performance from the SPAD, the user should be allowed to adjust the SPAD main parameters. For this reason, PDM-IR allows the control of both the SPAD working temperature and the Excess Bias voltage. -
Page 22: Temperature
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 4.3.1 Temperature The user can select the working temperature among 4 different predefined values: • High temperature (243K): the dark count rate is the highest than other temperature modes, but no particular caution is required for module thermal stability. -
Page 23: Pdm-Ir Counters Section
Counter Max Frequency 4.4 PDM-IR Counters Section The PDM-IR integrates 5 counters to analyze the major signals: AUX IN, TRIGGER IN, INTERNAL TRIGGER, PHOTON OUT, VALID GATE. Every counter stores data counts accumulated during counter integration time; In order to avoid missed readings, specially at short integration time, the count data are stored in a 20 positions circular array, that are automatically read from the VisualPDM-IR software or that can be read by using the provided SDK. -
Page 24: Photon Out
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Table 8. Outputs specifications. Parameter Symbol Description Min. Typ. Max. Unit NIM Aux Out low logic level 50 Ω termination required OH_NIM NIM Aux Out high logic level 50 Ω termination required -800 OL_NIM NIM Aux Out bandwidth... -
Page 25: Ttl Aux Out
4.6 PDM-IR LED Status The PDM-IR has a LED lens on the rear panel for showing the current module status. Table 9 shows the LED colors and their meanings. Unless the PDM-IR has detected a serious error that is signaled with a RED colored LED, the standard condition for the LED status is OFF. -
Page 26: Pdm-Ir Propagation Delays
- BLINKING ORANGE * with PDM-IR all parameter can be updated at any time, i.e. after the SPAD has been successfully turned on (LED OFF), when the module is currently updating parameters (LED ORANGE), or when the module as just (within less than 5s) updated a parameter (LED GREEN). - Page 27 PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Table 11. Propagation delays of main signals Input signal Output signal Propagation delay GATE 30 ns TRIGGER IN TTL AUX OUT (as TRIGGER GATE) 28 ns NIM AUX OUT (as TRIGGER GATE) 26 ns GATE...
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Page 28: Pdm-Ir Software Interface
5.1 Installation Double-click the desired installer (32-bit or 64-bit) and follow the guided installation procedure. Please note that USB driver from FTDI, included in the PDM-IR USB-Key, must be installed before connecting the PDM-IR to the PC. 5.2 Software Interface The VisualPDM-IR interface is composed by a main window divided in several sections as shown in Figure 18, and a satellite window for each active counter (see Figure 24). - Page 29 PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Figure 19. Trigger and Gate Section of the VisualPDM-IR Main Window. Table 12. Trigger and Gate Section explained. Internal Trigger Settings: these two fields set the frequency (freq and the Delay of INTERNAL TRIGGER (δ...
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Page 30: Main Window: Spad Section
TRIGGER will be identical to TRIGGER GATE and sent directly to the gate generation section. Gate Width Settings: these fields allows to select the gate mode (see PDM-IR Gate Section), the T width and the delay of the EFFECTIVE GATE (δ... -
Page 31: Main Window: Output Section
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 Table 13. SPAD Section controls explained Temperature: Allows to change the SPAD working temperature through a selection list. See paragraph 4.3.1 for more information Excess Bias: set the SPAD Excess Bias Voltage (V Hold Off: set the Hold Off time (t ) of the SPAD. -
Page 32: Main Window: Status Section
Turn Off: Disables the SPAD. This button is visible only when the SPAD is ON. Turn ON: Enables the SPAD. This button is visible only when the SPAD is OFF. Get Parameters from Module: this button reads from PDM-IR all module parameters and thus synchronizes the SW interface with actual module settings. -
Page 33: Main Window: Counter Section
5.2.5 Main Window: Counter Section PDM-IR has five internal counters that can be enabled or disabled. Once enabled, it is possible to see each actual counter value or its variation in time through graph displayed in a satellite window. The integration time is user settable and common for all counters. -
Page 34: Counter Window
In case of multiple PDM-IRs connected at the same PC, the software offers the possibility to control all of them, by means of the pop-up widow shown in Figure 25. In this figure the list of all detected PDM-IR modules is indicated, allowing the user to choose or change the controlled PDM-IR by the Serial Number. -
Page 35: Module Info Window
“Show PDM-IR Module Info” button in the “Advanced” menu. 5.2.9 Configurations Window A complete set of parameters that fully configures a PDM-IR is called a “Configuration”. With the VisualPDM- IR it is possible to save multiple configurations and load them whenever a specific one is needed for a particular application or experimental set-up. -
Page 36: Save Configuration Window
PDM-IR is powered on without the need to be attached to a PC. This operation is performed by pressing the “Save Configuration as Startup”... -
Page 37: Runtime Menu
Table 18. Table 18. Runtime menu controls explained. Allows to change the PDM-IR that is controlled by the SW when more than one module are attached to the same PC. File → Open Module By pressing the menu item, the module selection window, shown in paragraph 0, will appear. -
Page 38: Setups
Thus, for detecting these photons, the PDM-IR can be used either in free running mode or in gated mode. The internal counter associated to the NIM OUT (Photons) can also be conveniently used without the use of an external one. In free running mode the measurement is straightforward (see paragraph 2 for a description the various modes of operation and paragraph 4.2.3 specifically for free running): as the SPAD is immediately turned on following each... - Page 39 HOLD-OFF. In case, the user wants to perform the same measurement in gated mode, the PDM-IR should be set in gated mode with internal trigger and Fixed gate width operation (see paragraph 2 for a description the various modes of operation and paragraph 4.2.1 specifically for Gated-Mode with Fixed-Gate-Width). Even in this case the internal counter “Photons”...
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Page 40: Photon Timing Setup
PDM-IR module. The trigger-out signal of the laser is then used, as START of a TCSPC system. The STOP signal to the TCSPC system is given by the PHOTON OUT of the PDM-IR module. It is worth noting that in this... -
Page 41: Advanced Setups
This paragraph analyzes the measurement setup and a PDM-IR configuration to get the best results. A cross correlation setup is commonly composed by two PDM- IR because there are at least 2 optical channels to detect and, as described in paragraph 2, it’s important to enable the SPADs only when the photons impinge on the detector. - Page 42 TRIGGER IN. 2. Connect the LASER TRIGGER OUT to the TRIGGER IN of each PDM-IR by means of a wideband 50/50 power splitter (the voltage levels at the outputs are the half of the input levels); set the correct edge and threshold settings of the TRIGGER IN input.
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Page 43: Cross Correlation Setup Without Sync
Finally, in order to make this setup working two other settings must be ensured: 1. Since there is a fixed delay from the instant a photon is detect by the free-running PDM-IR to the instant the gate is opened on the second PDM-IR (due to modules internal delays, see paragraph 4.7, and the cable used to connect the two modules), photons arriving at the gated PDM-IR must be delayed by making longer the optical path from the sample to the gated PDM-IR. -
Page 44: Long Decay Measurement
+ ���� , which is the count rate with no corrections that can be simply seen by LKLcb dRfMcb MKRdY attaching the PDM-IR PHOTON OUT to a counter (or by using the internal “Photons” counter): ���� + ���� dRfMcb MKRdY 1 −... - Page 45 “switched off”, the above result would mean that when module PHOTON OUT count rate is 3571 c/s + 5000 c/s = 8571 c/s, than the PDM-IR is at the 5% TCSPC limit.
- Page 46 In order to perform this measurement using the setup proposed in Figure 35 follow the instructions: d set the internal frequency between 10 to 100 Set the PDM-IR trigger as INTERNAL TRIGGER an times higher than the desired laser trigger frequency (the laser trigger frequency is application dependent) 2.
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Page 47: System Requirements
PDM-IR user manual v 3.0.3 7 System requirements • USB 2.0 interface • Host computer (minimum requirements) o 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM • Supported operating systems o VisualPDM-IR Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8,10, 32 or 64 bit versions §...
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