Dead-time and afterpulsing correction in multiphoton timing with nonideal detectors

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Abstract
The influence of detector nonidealities on multiphoton timing experiments is investigated. Deviations from ideal detector behavior include dead‐time, afterpulsing, and a smeared detector response. A statistical model of dead‐time effects combined with cumulative afterpulsing is developed which allows the correction of distorted experimental data. The theory is verified with both Monte Carlo simulations and experimentally, whereby particular emphasis is put on fiberoptic optical time‐domain reflectometrymeasurements. Though the theory is applicable to any kind of detector we discuss the various effects for two examples of commercially available single photon avalanche diode modules. One of the two detectors is the passive quenched EG&G SPCM‐100 while the other module contains an active quenching circuit and is manufactured at the Czech Technical University at Prague.