Patent ID: 9383459
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: G01T

Claim Text:
1. A photodetector comprising: a photodetecting element that has a pn junction and outputs a photocurrent corresponding to detected light; a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the photodetecting element; a first obtaining unit to obtain the photocurrent detected by the photodetecting element; and a voltage controller to control the voltage applying unit to apply, during a drive period in which the photocurrent is obtained, a drive voltage and apply, during a standby period in which the photocurrent is not obtained, any of a first standby voltage, a second standby voltage with a voltage value of 0 V, and a third standby voltage, the drive voltage having a voltage value whose absolute value is equal to or greater than an avalanche breakdown voltage of the pn junction and being in reverse bias with respect to the pn junction, the first standby voltage being in forward bias with respect to the pn junction, and the third standby voltage having a voltage value whose absolute value is greater than 0 V and which is less than the drive voltage and being in reverse bias with respect to the pn junction.