Large dynamic range photon detector with a temperature-stabilized Si-based multi-pixel photon counter

Abstract

We present an efficient fluorescence detector in the visible region of the spectrum with a photon detection dynamic range over 10(6) photons/s made of a temperature-stabilized Si-based multi-pixel photon counter at temperature down to 5 degrees C. We show that effective cooling of the device by means of a compact thermo-electric cooler brings several advantages, such as high gain, low dark noise rate, and thus high signal-to-noise ratio in the efficient fluorescence detection at 398.9 nm from the S-1(0) <-> P-1(1) transition of the ytterbium atoms in an effusive atomic beam. We present also a comparison of the fluorescence detection efficiencies between the device and a side-on photo-multiplier tube with known gain positioned at the symmetric location from the ytterbium atomic beam. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.