Photon counting for quantum key distribution with peltier cooled InGaAs/InP APDs

Abstract

The performance of three types of InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes is\ninvestigated for photon counting at 1550 nm in the temperature range of\nthermoelectric cooling. The best one yields a dark count probability of $%\n2.8\\cdot 10^{-5}$ per gate (2.4 ns) at a detection efficiency of 10% and a\ntemperature of -60C. The afterpulse probability and the timing jitter are also\nstudied. The results obtained are compared with those of other papers and\napplied to the simulation of a quantum key distribution system. An error rate\nof 10% would be obtained after 54 kilometers.\n