Laser Components has introduced the single photon counting module Count NIR especially made for wavelengths in the near infrared. When conventional detectors are unable to distinguish between signal and noise, then single photon detectors are used. These detectors have a high detection efficiency at a low dark count rate, similar to Laser Components' silicon-based single photon avalanche diodes. When equipped with electronics, they become photon counting modules.
The module has a detection efficiency of 60 per cent at 810nm and achieves a maximum detection efficiency of almost 80 per cent at 700nm. Dark count rates of less than 50 photons per second are common. TTL pulses can be used to operate the module; the detector is equipped with a gating input.