The negative impact of anode resistance on SiPMs as VLC receivers

Abstract

The process used to detect individual photons in passively quenched Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) creates a nonlinear response. A model is presented to show this nonlinearity is an unavoidable consequence of microcells recharging after a detection. However, results are presented which show the nonlinearity is increased by the inclusion of an anode readout resistor. Removal of this resistor improves ambient light performance of communication links by a factor of 1.9 under 300 $\mathrm{mWm}^{-2}$ of total 405 nm irradiance.