Lecture
This lecture discusses the principles and applications of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD) and their use in various optical detection methods. The instructor begins by explaining the working principle of SPADs, emphasizing the importance of biasing a photodiode above its breakdown voltage to initiate the detection process. The lecture covers applications such as time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) for distance measurement using time of flight, highlighting the precision of photon arrival time. The instructor also introduces the concept of modulated light signals for phase detection, which further aids in distance measurement. Various configurations of SPAD arrays and their integration into single-chip systems are presented, showcasing their effectiveness in real-world applications. The discussion extends to multipixel photon counters and silicon photomultipliers, detailing their design and operational advantages. The lecture concludes with an overview of CCD and CMOS cameras for single photon detection, noting their sensitivity despite limitations in time-of-flight precision.