High-repetition-rate single-photon receiver and method therefor

An apparatus comprising:

• a voltage source operative to bias a single-photon avalanche diode with a gating signal that is non-sinusoidal and is characterized by a fundamental frequency;
• and
• a first filter that is dimensioned and arranged to provide an output signal based on an input signal from the avalanche photodiode, the first filter having a filter response characterized by (1) a low-pass filter response having a rejection frequency that is less than twice the fundamental frequency and (2) a notch filter response centered at a center frequency, wherein the notch filter response attenuates a first frequency range that includes the fundamental frequency.

A method comprising:

• providing a gating signal to a single-photon avalanche diode, the gating signal being characterized by a fundamental frequency;
• and
• filtering an output signal provided by the single-photon avalanche diode with a filter having a filter response characterized by (1) a low-pass filter response that attenuates frequencies greater than a rejection frequency that is less than twice the fundamental frequency, and (2) a notch filter response that attenuates frequencies within a first frequency range that includes the fundamental frequency.

A method comprising:

• providing a gating signal to a single-photon avalanche diode, the gating signal being characterized by a fundamental frequency, and the gating signal being a non-sinusoidal signal;
• and
• filtering an output signal provided by the single-photon avalanche diode with a filter having a filter response characterized by (1) a low-pass filter response that attenuates frequencies greater than a rejection frequency that is less than twice the fundamental frequency, and (2) a notch filter response that attenuates frequencies within a first frequency range that includes the fundamental frequency.