Photodetector Figures of Merit

There are a number of parameters quoted in literature as figures of merit of infrared photodetectors. The use of these parameters is dependent on a certain degree on the particular type of the detector. 

In this text we adopt Jones classification, which became standard for the description of photodetectors [2—4]. The main parameters of detectors utilized in this text are collected in Table 1.1. 

From the point of view of this work the main parameters are specific detectivity and the detector bandwidth. It is especially convenient to use a synthetic parameter obtained by multiplying the specific detectivity with the bandwidth. Specific detectivity unites sensitivity or quantum efficiency with noise equivalent power. Thus, the D f product describes all fundamental limitations of a detector, taking into account both its behavior at high operating frequencies and at low signal intensities. 

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