OBSERVATION OF OPTICAL-RESPONSE OF AVALANCHE PHOTODIODES AT PHOTON-COUNTING LIGHT LEVELS

Authors
HUNT JH HOLMES RB
Citation
Jh. Hunt et Rb. Holmes, OBSERVATION OF OPTICAL-RESPONSE OF AVALANCHE PHOTODIODES AT PHOTON-COUNTING LIGHT LEVELS, Applied physics letters, 64(22), 1994, pp. 2925-2927
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Physics, Applied
Journal title
Applied physics letters → ACNP
ISSN journal
00036951
Volume
64
Issue
22
Year of publication
1994
Pages
2925 - 2927
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-6951(1994)64:22<2925:OOOOAP>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
We have demonstrated all-optical spatial light modulation at photon-co unting light levels. Modulation is performed with a silicon avalanche photodiode operating as a Fizeau interferometer with optical thickness modulated by optically initiated, avalanche-induced heating. Modulati on of 32% is achieved with off-the-shelf devices with writing beams us ing as few as 10 photons per pulse. The results represent the first sp atially and temporally resolved measurements of avalanche breakdown.