PMT or APD based “Pseudo” Cross Correlation Detectors

Whenever lag times and with this sampling time in the sub-µs regime are to be measured, computing an auto correlation function from a single detector will be distorted by afterpulsing and dead time effects. Afterpulsing, furthermore, shows the max. relative strength at small input count rates (for the simple reason that at higher count rates the probability that instead of an afterpulse a “real” signal pulse should have been generated gets larger). To overcome these probelms, cross correlation is usually used. However, not every experiment is a cross correlation experiment by definition - even worse, for most experiements, no “direct” cross correlation equivalent exists. For all these experiments, “pseudo” cross correlation setups can be used instead. While conserving the idea of cross correlation, namely to have independency of afterpulsing of one detector to the other and thus no correlation (and the same holds true for dead time), it does not impose the burdon of physically setting up a cross correlation experiment. In detail, a “pseudo” cross correlation detector wroks as follows :

• Split the incoming light into two equal light contributions of (near to) equal intensity.
• Use two single photon detectors, one illuminated by the first and the other by the second light contribution
• Use two totally decoupled  preamplifier / discriminator and pulse generation units
• Cross correlate the signal output of these two detectors instead of auto correlating each

Clearly, the resulting cross correlation function will have identical expectation to the auto correlation function, besides no longer being distorted by afterpulsing and dead times. Still, second order effects must be considered, which can be minimized only be rigorous selection of all parts in the detectors, from the beam splitter device to the PMTs / APDs and even the BNC cable types and length.

Two versions of “pseudo” cross correlation detectors exist, the ALV-/SO-SIPD which is a fully integrated unit with optical beam splitter, two PMTs, fully decoupled electronics etc. and the ALV-Fiber Optical Beam Splitter based detectors (however, fiber optical beam splitters are wavelength dependent and must be selected for a specific wavelength range). While the first unit is a general purpose unit which can be attached to virtually any optical input, has the possibility of attaching additional filters (IR, edge filters ...), the ALV-Fiber Optical Beam Splitter based detectors do in fact include the ALV-Static&Dynamic Enhancer and thus find their use primarly as DLS&SLS detector in ALV-Compact Goniometer Systems. However, the ALV-Fiber Optical Beam Splitter based detectors are no longer limited to PMTs, but APDs can be used instead, which boost the sensitivity for red wavelength by more than a magnitude in comparison to the ALV/SO-SIPD. Furthermore, the ALV-Fiber Optical Beam Splitter based detectors are optimized for use with the ALV-6010-160 or ALV-6010-200 Digital Correlator Series and allow the measurement at sampling and lag times as low as 5 ns with residual distorion well below the 1% range. Please click here for a test measurement graph.
 

ALV Cross and “Pseudo Cross Correlation Detectors

ALV reserves the right to sell the ALV/SO-SIPD, the ALV-SO/SIPD-II and the ALV-DUAL High Q.E. APD only for use with ALV-Correlators. These products must thus either be ordered in a package with an ALV-Correlator or ordered by an existing ALV-Correlator User for use with his/her ALV-Correlator.
 
Please inquire for special package prices !

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