Simulated monolithically integrated single photon counter

Simulations of a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GMAP) monolithically integrated with its corresponding active quench and reset circuit (AQRC) are presented. The AQRC design is simulated in Agilent's ADS simulator using BSIM3 MOSFET models acquired from Europractice's 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The novelty of the design ensures a minimum dead-time of 13 ns between adjacent incident photons. This corresponds to a maximum achievable saturated count-rate of 77 Mcounts/sec, not previously reported.