Challenge
Photodetection is an essential and integral component of any contemporary LiDAR application. Currently, there are basically two main instrumental solutions available – Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) and Silicon PhotoMultipliers (SiPM). Each of them has its own drawbacks: APD’s disadvantage is its relatively low sensitivity and high level of noise. Whereas the construction of SiPMs is usually a trade-off between low cross-talk and wide dynamic range.
On-market technologies:
- Trade-off between sensitivity and resistance to bright light
- No possibility for further optimization
Dephan product:
- High-sensitivity
- Resistance to bright light
Solution
The DEPHAN photomultiplier combines APD-like monolithic photosensitive area with a large number of small amplified channels like in SiPM, thus avoiding cross-talk and the need for trenches while simultaneously providing wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low noise. This combination of parameters ideally suits LiDAR applications by solving its three major problems, namely those of resolution, range and overexposure from daylight, all at scalability of CMOS-compatible technology.
On-market
Large photosensitive area
Wide dynamic range
Low sensitivity
Complicated and expensive electronics
Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes on common substrate
Low dynamic range
High sensitivity
Cheap electronics
DEPHAN
Small amplified channels integrated into a large photosensitive area
Wide dynamic range
High sensitivity
Cheap electronics
Parameters
DEPHAN offers a totally new device:
Highly sensitive
Resistant to bright light
Simple & Affordable
- The device combines the best properties of on-market devices and avoids trade-off between high-sensitivity and resistance to bright light
- Based on semiconductor technology, CMOS-compatible – cost-effective, scalable, supporting arrays and matrices on a wafer
| Parameters | D-105-BC (visible range) |
D-105-RC (NIR) |
TBD in 2022 (NIR, Gen2) |
Units |
| Photosensitive area | 1х1 | 1х1 | 1х1 | mm х mm |
| Micro-cell density (pulsed dynamic range) |
4.6 ∙104 | 4.6 ∙104 | 7.1 ∙104 | per mm2 |
| Fill factor | 90 | 90 | 87 | % |
| Spectral range | 400 to 870 (max 580) | 400 to 940 (max 730) | 450 to 950 (max 750) | nm |
| PDE | 40 @peak sensitivity; 35 @λ=440 nm; 25 @λ=650 nm |
35 @peak sensitivity; 20 @λ=780 nm; 10 @λ=905 nm |
40 @peak sensitivity; 34 @λ=780 nm; 18 @λ=905 nm |
% |
| Operating voltage | 50 to 60 | 60 to 70 | 70 to 80 | V |
| Cross talk probability | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | % |
| Gain | (0.7 to 1.2)∙ 104 | (0.7 to 1.2)∙ 104 | (0.4 to 1.0)∙ 104 | – |
| Time resolution FWHM (jitter) | < 150 @λ=440 nm | < 400 @λ=905nm | < 350 @λ=905 nm | ps |
| Threshold sensitivity*; light pulse<1ns; |
@λ=440 nm: 35 to 50 @λ=656 nm: 45 to 65 |
@λ=780 nm: 50 to 75 @λ=905 nm: 120 to 150 |
@λ=780 nm: 40 to 65 @λ=905 nm: 100 to 120 |
photons |
*detection probability ≥ 90 %, false detection rate ≤ 1 kHz, 1 GHz bandwidth, room temperature
![[in]](/wp-content/themes/DEPHAN/img/linkedin.ico)