Wide dynamic range photodetector
AssigneeLightSpin Technologies Inc.
InventorsEric Harmon, David Salzman
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Abstract
The invention provides a means of enhancing the dynamic range and linearity of photodetectors and imaging photodetector arrays. This is achieved by combining Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) capable of high efficiency detection of single photons and conventional semiconductor photodetectors with poor noise floors to simultaneously achieve high efficiency detection of single photons and a wide dynamic range.
Claims20
An extended dynamic range photodetector combining a plurality of single-photon sensitive detectors with a plurality of wide dynamic range photodetectors.
A method of measuring the intensity of a beam of light striking a detector comprising the steps of
- a. measuring some of the light with a plurality of photodetectors capable of resolving single-photon events, and
- b. measuring some of the light with a plurality of photodetectors capable of measuring with a wide dynamic range but also having a lower limit on detectable signal that requires multiple photons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.