Limits of Nonequilibrium Detector Operation

In this section, we consider the limits of operating parameters required for the function of a nonequilibrium detector. This is a general consideration in the sense that it does not depend on a particular mechanism of nonequilibrium suppression. 

3 Chaige Carrier Management (Thermal Noise Engineering) 

For instance, to bring an n-type detector to the limit of Auger process suppression, electron concentration must be either equal to the product of nonequilibrium depletion factor and intrinsic concentration or lower than it (if the Shockley-Read noise component can be neglected). Thus, the product between the nonequilibrium depletion factor and intrinsic concentration represents the highest allowed level of doping of a given semiconductor for a given temperature. 

The required increase factor at lower temperature becomes larger with wavelength, to reach a point of inflection at temperatures near the room temperature. Subsequently for larger values of X this factor decreases with wavelength. 

Elhott et al. [339] analyzed noise mechanisms in MWIR and LWIR infrared detectors operating in the range from 3-13 om and proved that there is no fundamental obstacle that would prevent room temperature operation of photodetectors in background hmited performance, even if the field of view is reduced. 

---