Time-domain filtering of gamma events
AssigneeAvago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
InventorsThomas Frach, Torsten Solf, Dennis Groben
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present application relates generally to silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detector arrays. In one aspect, there is a system including an array of cells each including a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) reverse-biased above a breakdown voltage of the SPAD. The system may further include a trigger network configured to generate pulses on a trigger line in response to SPADs of the array undergoing breakdown. The system may still further include a pulse-width filter configured to block pulses on the trigger line whose pulse width is less than a threshold width.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- one or more pixels of a detector array, each of the one or more pixels comprising an array of cells, each cell in the array of cells comprising at least a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) that is reverse biased above a breakdown voltage;
- one or more trigger lines connected to each cell and a trigger pulse generator, the trigger pulse generator to generate a trigger pulse in response to one or more SPADs of one or more cells entering breakdown;
- and
- a pulse width filter configured to block a false trigger pulse from the trigger pulse generator, the false trigger pulse having a pulse width below a threshold.
A circuitry comprising:
- an array of cells, each of the cells comprising at least a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) that is reverse biased responsive to a breakdown voltage;
- one or more trigger pulse generators connected to the array of cells, the one or more trigger pulse generators generating a trigger signal responsive to one or more SPADs being reverse biased;
- and
- a trigger validation circuit to validate the trigger signal responsive to a threshold and a pulse width of the signal.
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a trigger pulse generator via one or more trigger lines, one or more pulses from one or more single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) being reverse biased responsive to reach a breakdown voltage, each of the one or more SPADs forming a cell of an array of cells, each cell of the array cells connected via the one or more trigger lines to the trigger pulse generator;
- generating, by the trigger pulse generator, a trigger pulse responsive to the one or more pulses;
- and
- one of allowing or blocking, by a pulse width filter, the trigger pulse responsive to comparing a pulse width of the trigger pulse to a threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.