Characterization of SPAD Arrays: First Results

SPAD detectors are very promising for astrophysical applications. Large arrays are crucial to cover as much of the focal plane as possible. STMicroelectronics has developed various monolithic arrays of SPAD. At present, the manufacturing of 5×5 arrays (each with an active area of 40 μm and pitch between adjacent pixels of 240 μm) is completed and improvements in terms of pixels and technology are under study and development. An appropriate cryogenic system to host the packaged SPAD arrays and detection electronics to drive them have been designed and realized. Electro-optical characteristics of various arrays in different operating conditions have been measured and the obtained results are presented herein.