RECENT ADVANCES IN THE DETECTION OF OPTICAL PHOTONS WITH SILICON PHOTODIODES

Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes are interesting substitutes for conventional photomultiplier tubes in measurements of fast optical waveforms. In this paper we discuss the physical mechanisms involved in the detector operation and we clarify how these effects set a limit to the achievable timing performance. We show that a proper choice of the electric field profile is mandatory for the design of devices combining high quantum efficiency and timing resolution given by the ultimate transit time limit.