Open AccessOptical crosstalk in single photon avalanche diode arrays: a new complete model
Author(s) -
Ivan Rech,
Antonino Ingargiola,
Roberto Spinelli,
Ivan Labanca,
Stefano Marangoni,
M. Ghioni,
S. Cova
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.008381
Subject(s) - crosstalk , optics , physics , avalanche diode , diode , photon , optoelectronics , detector , voltage , breakdown voltage , quantum mechanics
One of the main issues of Single Photon Avalanche Diode arrays is optical crosstalk. Since its intensity increases with reducing the distance between devices, this phenomenon limits the density of integration within arrays. In the past optical crosstalk was ascribed essentially to the light propagating from one detector to another through direct optical paths. Accordingly, reflecting trenches between devices were proposed to prevent it, but they proved to be not completely effective. In this paper we will present experimental evidence that a significant contribution to optical crosstalk comes from light reflected internally off the bottom of the chip, thus being impossible to eliminate it completely by means of trenches. We will also propose an optical model to predict the dependence of crosstalk on the distance between devices.