35 ps time resolution at room temperature with large area single photon avalanche diodes

It is demonstrated that remarkable timing performance is achievable with large area single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), provided that the avalanche current is sensed at very low level, when the multiplication process is still confined within a small area around the photon absorption point. By employing a suitable current pick-up circuit, an unprecedented time resolution of 35 ps was obtained with a 100 µm active area diameter SPAD.