Pseudo-random single photon counting for time-resolved optical measurement

Abstract

We report a new time-resolved optical measurement method which combines single photon counting and the spread spectrum time-resolved optical measurement method. A laser diode modulated with pseudo-random bit sequences replaces the short pulse laser used in conventional time-resolved optical systems, while a single photon detector records the pulse sequence in response to the modulated excitation. Periodic cross-correlation is used to retrieve the impulse response. Feasibility of our approach is validated experimentally. A rise time around 150 picoseconds has been achieved with our prototype. Besides high temporal resolution, the new method also affords other benefits such as high photon counting rate, fast data acquisition, portability, and low cost. © 2008 Optical Society of America.