Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes for three-dimensional imaging
January 1, 2002
Journal Article
Author:
Published in:
Lincoln Laboratory Journal, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2002, pp. 335-350.
R&D Area:
R&D Group:
Summary
We discuss the properties of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and their use in developing an imaging laser radar (ladar). This type of photodetector gives a fast electrical pulse in response to the detection of even a single photon, allowing for sub-nsec-precision photon-flight-time measurement. We present ongoing work at Lincoln Laboratory on three-dimensional (3D) imaging with arrays of these diodes, and the integration of the arrays with fast complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) digital timing circuits.