Detectors

Single Photon Counting Module

COUNT®-Series

Description
LASER COMPONENTS’ COUNT® series of Single Photon Counting Modules
low dark count rate, has been developed to offer a unique combination of high
photon detection efficiency, wide dynamic range, low dark count rate and ease
of use for photon counting applications. Combining LASER COMPONENTS’
ultra-low-noise VLoK silicon avalanche photodiode with specially developed
quenching and signal processing electronics, the module offers everything
needed for single photon detection from 400 – 1000 nm. Incoming photons
generate corresponding electrical pulses which may be conveniently read out at
the TTL output. The gating function allows the module to be disabled between
measurements to provide protection against accidental overload. The optional
FC connector provides a convenient method for connecting the module to the
sample using a multimode optical fiber.

Features
▪ Extremely low dark count rates below 10 Hz
▪ Detection efficiency > 70% @ 670 nm
▪ Optional FC fiber connector
▪ Single 12 V DC supply operation
▪ Stable count rate (no bi-stability)

Applications
▪ Quantum technologies & cryptography
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

▪ Partical sizing
▪ LIDAR
▪ Confocal microscopy
▪ Fluorescence analysis
▪ Astronomy

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
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 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Technical Specifications for COUNT® Module

Parameter Min. Typ. Max. Unit

Spectral range 400 1000 nm

Dark count rate

COUNT-10C 10 Counts/s
COUNT-20C 20 Counts/s
COUNT-50C 50 Counts/s
COUNT-100C 100 Counts/s
COUNT-250C 250 Counts/s

Photon detection efficiency Pd1 at:

405 nm 15 %
520 nm 35 55 %
670 nm 55 75 %
810 nm 40 50 %

Pd variation with FC-connection 5 %

Pd variation at constant temperature 1 %

Dark count rate variation at constant temperature 5 %

Active area diameter (nominal) 2

100 µm

Timing resolution 3
1000 ps

Afterpulsing probability 4
0.2 1 %

Dead time 42 45 48 ns

Gating input voltage

Gating on (= disable module) TTL low (<0.5) V
Gating off (= enable module) TTL high (>2.4) V

Gating input response time

Gating on (= disable module) 15 20 ns
Gating off (= enable module) 60 65 ns

TTL output pulse length 15 17 ns

TTL output pulse amplitude (into 50 Ohm) 3 V

Delay between photon impact and TTL pulse 30 ns

07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V

Supply current (switch on) 0.8 A

Supply current (operation at 1 Mcps) 0.2 A

1
Specifications valid for modules without FC-connector
2
The active area of the integrated Si-APD is larger than 100 µm.
The FC-version is optimised for optical fibers with core diameter <105 µm. The pre-aligned GRIN lens focuses the light onto a
spot of <70 µm diameter in the centre of the detector. Please also see Fig. 2. The NA of the fiber used with the module is
recommended to be ≤ 0.29.
3
Timing resolution depends on count rate and wavelength.
4
Defined for a time interval from 0 to 500 ns
2

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com
 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Min. Typ. Max. Unit

Supply voltage 11.5 12.0 12.5 V

Operating temperature 10 40 °C

Humidity at 40 °C 85 %

Storage temperature -20 70 °C

Count rate 20 MCounts/s

Fiber Connection Option

The COUNT®-XX-FC has a FC-style fiber-optic receptacle pre-aligned to the optical detector surface. The GRIN lens used in this
assembly is optimized and AR-coated for the range 440 – 1000 nm.

Heat Dissipation
In order to avoid damage to the module adequate heat sinking must be provided by placing or mounting the module onto a
suitable heat sink, e.g. an optical table.

Optical Fiber Shielding

To avoid stray light impinging on the detector and affecting the count rate, any optical fiber assembly attached to the FC
connector must be completely opaque.

Gating Function
The COUNT® module features a gating input provided as standard. This can be used for viewing a signal that occurs only in a
small timeframe window, or in applications with very weak signals and higher background. The output of the module is disabled
when a TTL low level is applied to the gate input. Applying a TTL high level will enable the module and permit photon detection.
If the gate input is left unconnected, the module is enabled by default.
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Always switch off the module before connecting or disconnecting the gating input.

Warranty
A standard 12-month warranty following shipment applies. Any warranty expires if the module case has been opened.
The warranty is void if the module input exceeds 12.5 V.

ESD Information
Modules should only be handled at an ESD-safe work station.

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com
 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Individual Module Test Data

Each module is supplied with test data indicating the module’s actual dark count, dead time, photon detection efficiency @
405 nm, 520 nm, 670 nm and 810 nm, timing jitter and afterpulsing probability.

Safety
The COUNT®-Series contains a high voltage power supply. Users may be injured
if the case has been opened. All internal settings are pre-set; there are no user adjustments.
Units that appear defective or have suffered mechanical damage should not be
used because of possible electrical shorting of the high voltage power supply.
Opening the case may damage sensitive components and expose the user to the
risk of electrical shock. Please contact factory for repairs.

RoHS Compliance
The COUNT®-Series is designed and built to be fully compliant with the European Union Directive 2011 / 65 /EU.
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com
 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Fig. 1: Typical photon detection efficiency (Pd) vs. wavelength

80,00

70,00

60,00

50,00

40,00
Pd, %

30,00

20,00

10,00

0,00

wavelength, nm

Fig. 2: Beam diameter on detector surface vs. relative

intensity of Pd referring to maximum value at 670 nm

Saturation
The dead time limits the measurable count rate at high incoming light levels. The count rate at which the signal does not
change significant by increasing incident photon number is called saturation level. Precautions should be taken to avoid
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

prolonged excessive light levels that may damage the COUNT® module.

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com
 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Correction Factor Non-Llinearity

Every COUNT® has an inherent dead time of approximately 43 ns after detecting a photon. During this dead time, the COUNT®
is „blind“ and can not detect further photons. As a consequence, the measured counting rate is lower than the true incident photon
rate. The photon rate can be calculated from the measured counting rate as follows:

Rmeasured
Rphoton =
1– Rmeasured ∙ TD

where Rphoton = actual incident photon rate

Rmeasured = measured count rate
TD = dead time of the module

The dead time effect can also be seen as a deviation from the unity of the ratio between the incident photon rate and the
measured count rate.
The correction factor can be used to correct the non-linearity especially at high light levels.

R photon 1
Correction Factor = =
Rmeasured (1– Rmeasured * TD )

The following two figures demonstrate the effect of the dead time on the measured count rate and its correction factor.

Fig. 3: Measured count rate vs. actual photon rate for a Fig. 4: Correction factor vs. photon rate for a dead time
dead time of 43 ns. of 43 ns

1,E+08 8

1,E+07 7
MEASRUED COUNT RATE, HZ

6
1,E+06
correction factor

5
1,E+05
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

1,E+04
3

1,E+03
2

1,E+02 1
1,E+02 1,E+03 1,E+04 1,E+05 1,E+06 1,E+07 1,E+08 1,E+02 1,E+03 1,E+04 1,E+05 1,E+06 1,E+07 1,E+08 1,E+09

REAL PHOTON RATE, HZ real photon rate, Hzl

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
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 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Photon Number vs. Optical Power

Single photon detection is applicable to the VERY Low Light Level (Very LLL). The following graph helps to understand the
optical power level for which the actual single photon counting method is relevant.

Fig. 5: Photon number vs. optical power at different

wavelengths (nm)

100000000

10000000

1000000

100000
Photon rate, Hz

10000 405
670
1000 810
1060
100

10

1
1E-18 1E-17 1E-16 1E-15 1E-14 1E-13 1E-12 1E-11

Optical power, W
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com
 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Package Drawings
Free-Space Version

+12V
GND

Distance from top of window to active area plane: typ. 1.35 mm

Dimensions in mm

Fiber Connector Version

07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Interface Information
▪ Power Supply: LEMO connector, item number FGG.OB.302.CLAD42
(optional COUNT® power supply is available upon request).
▪ Gate input: SMA connector
▪ TTL output: LEMO connector, compatible with LEMO/BNC adapter ABF.00.250.CTA. An optional LEMO-to-BNC adapter is
available upon request.
▪ Optical input (FC connector version): compatible with standard FC/PC-connector, suitable for fiber core diameters up to 105 µm.
8

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
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 Single Photon Counting Module
Detectors COUNT®-Series

Product Number Designations

C O U N T® XX C FC

Dark count rate FC-Connector (optional)

10 = 10 c/s

20 = 20 c/s

50 = 50 c/s

100 = 100 c/s

250 = 250 c/s

Product Changes
LASER COMPONENTS reserves the right to make changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
No liability is assumed as a result to their use or application.

Ordering Information
Products can be ordered directly from LASER COMPONENTS or its representatives. For a complete listing of representatives,
visit our website at www.lasercomponents.com
07/23 / V32 / OS-IF / lc-photon-counter/count-series

Germany and Other Countries France United Kingdom Nordic Countries USA
Laser Components Germany GmbH Laser Components S.A.S. Laser Components (UK) Ltd. Laser Components Nordic AB Laser Components USA, Inc.
Tel: +49 8142 2864 – 0 Tel: +33 1 39 59 52 25 Tel: +44 1245 491 499 Tel: +46 31 703 71 73 Tel: +1 603 821 – 7040
Fax: +49 8142 2864 – 11 Fax: +33 1 39 59 53 50 Fax: +44 1245 491 801 Fax: +46 31 703 71 01 Fax: +1 603 821 – 7041
info@lasercomponents.com info@lasercomponents.fr info@lasercomponents.co.uk info@lasercomponents.se info@laser-components.com
www.lasercomponents.com www.lasercomponents.fr www.lasercomponents.co.uk www.lasercomponents.se www.laser-components.com