Infrared photodetectors characteristics

W.L. Eiseman, J.D. Merriam, and R.F. Potter, Operational Characteristics of Infrared Photodetectors... 

W. L. Eiseman, J. D. Merriam, and R. F. Potter, Operational Characteristics of Infrared Photodetectors P. R. Bratt, Impurity Germanium and Silicon Infrared Detectors E. H. Putley, InSb Submillimeter Photoconductive Detectors... 

To be able to appraise various photodetector types, we will attempt here to define a general idealized infrared detector, which would, independently on a particular detection mechanism, satisfy aU the requirements posed for such a device. The performance of a real detector are then determined by the degree of compliance of its parameters, and thus defined perfect device. Of course, one can object that such an approach cannot be objective, since a particular application determines priorities in performance (for instance, for some military applications speed and detectivity are of primary importance, while costs are secondary for communication purposes one requires large speeds and low prices, etc.). In other words, one cannot define a unique set of characteristics that could describe all existing situations— an ideal detectors has as many definitions as there are applications [3]. 

The structure used in the investigations of Malyutenko et al. (e.g., [397]) is also applicable for the photodetectors with nonequilibrium suppression of Auger processes. This structure is shown in Fig. 3.73b). Here, the voltage readout contacts are located on the surface with low recombination rate and are physically separated from the bias contact pads (which are placed at the ends of the detector, like in the basic version). This stracture is more convenient than the basic one because measurements are performed in the part with largest depletion. At the same time, this area absorbs the most part of the incident infrared radiation. All other characteristics are identical to those in the standard version. 

Z. Djuric, A. Vujanic, Z. Jaldic, Spectral characteristics of high temperature IR photodetectors with electromagnetic canita- depletion. Infrared Phys. Technol. 35(4), 585-591 (1994)... 

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