Explore this comprehensive introduction to the foundations of photodetection from one of the leading voices in the field The newly revised Photodetectors: Devices, Circuits and Applications delivers a thoroughly updated exploration of the fundamentals of photodetection and the novel technologies and concepts that have arisen since the release of the first edition twenty years ago. The book offers discussions of established and emerging photodetection technologies, including photomultipliers, the SPAD, the SiPM, the SNSPD, the UTC, the WGPD/TWPD, the QWIP, and the LT-GaAs. New examinations of correlation measurements on ultrafast pulses and single-photon detectors for quantum communications and LiDARs have also been added. Each chapter includes selected problems for students to work through to aid in learning and retention. A booklet of solutions is also provided. The book is especially ideal for students and faculties of Engineering, with an emphasis on first principles, design, and the engineering of photodetectors. Issues in the book are grouped through the development of concepts, as opposed to collections of technical details. Perfect for undergraduate students interested in the science or design of modern optoelectronics, Photodetectors: Devices, Circuits and Applications also belongs on the bookshelves of professors teaching PhD seminars in advanced courses on photodetection and noise, as well as engineers and physicists seeking a guide to an optimum photodetection solution.

Table of Contents:
Preface xi Preface to the first Edition xiii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Photodetection Preliminary 4 1.2 Basic Parameters of Photodetectors 6 References 8 Chapter 2 Radiometry Calculations 9 2.1 The Law of Photography 9 2.2 The Invariants in Free Propagation 11 2.3 Acceptance and Degrees of Freedom 12 2.4 Applying Invariance to Problem Solving 14 2.5 Extension of Invariants 17 References 19 Problems and Questions 19 Chapter 3 Detection Regimes and Figures of Merit 21 3.1 The Bandwidth-Noise Tradeoff 21 3.2 Quantum and Thermal Regimes 23 3.3 Figures of Merit of Detectors 26 3.3.1 NEP and Detectivity 27 3.3.2 Background Limit or BLIP 28 3.3.3 NEP and D* for Single Photon Detection 29 References 30 Problems 30 Chapter 4 Photomultipliers 31 4.1 Photocathodes 34 4.1.1 Properties of Common Photocathodes 37 4.1.2 Photocathodes Technology 41 4.1.3 Photocathodes Parameters 44 4.2 Dynode Multiplication Chain 47 4.2.1 Dynode Materials and Properties 49 4.3 The Electron Optics 51 4.4 Common Photomultiplier Structures 52 4.5 Photomultiplier Response, Gain, and Noise 54 4.5.1 Charge Response 55 4.5.2 Current Response 58 4.5.3 Autocorrelation Response 67 4.5.4 Time Sorting and Measurements 69 4.6 Special Photomultiplier Structures 71 4.7 Photomultiplier Performances 72 4.7.1 Types of Photocathodes and Spectral Response 72 4.7.2 Number of Dynodes and Gain 73 4.7.3 SER Waveform and Related Parameters 74 4.7.4 Linearity, Dynamic Range, and Saturation 76 4.7.5 Resolution in Amplitude Measurements 78 4.7.6 Dark Current 79 4.7.7 Bias Circuits 80 4.7.8 Hysteresis and Drift. Ambient Performances 81 4.8 Applications of Photomultipliers 83 4.8.1 Detection of Weak Signals of Moderate Bandwidth 83 4.8.2 Measurement of Fast Waveforms 83 4.8.3 Time Measurements 85 4.8.4 Photocounting Techniques 86 4.8.5 Nuclear Radiation Spectroscopy 89 4.8.6 Dating with Radionuclides 91 4.9 Microchannels and MCP Photomultipliers 91 4.9.1 The Microchannel 91 4.9.2 MCP Photomultipliers 97 4.10. MEMS Photomultipliers 99 References 100 Problems 101 Chapter 5 Photodiodes 103 5.1 Introduction and Nomenclature 103 5.2 Junction photodiodes 105 5.2.1 Photoresponse of the PN Junction 106 5.2.2 Electrical Characteristics 115 5.2.3 Equivalent Circuits 118 5.2.4 Frequency Response: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Cutoff 121 5.2.5 PN and PIN Junctions 124 5.2.6 Schottky Junctions 129 5.2.7 Heterojunctions 130 5.2.7.1 Uni-travelling Carrier Photodiode 131 5.2.7.2 Multispectral Photodiodes 133 5.2.7.3 Lattice Matching 133 5.2.7.4 Lattice Constant Diagram 134 5.2.7.5 Interfaces 136 5.2.8 Photodiodes Structures 137 5.2.8.1 Traditional Structures 137 5.2.8.2 Advanced Structures 139 5.2.8.3 Resonant Cavity Enhanced Photodetectors 141 5.2.8.4 Quantum well Photodetectors 141 5.2.9 Photodiodes Packaging 142 5.2.10 Photodiode Specifications and Parameters 142 5.3 Photodiode Circuits 145 5.3.1 Circuits for Instrumentation Applications 146 5.3.1.1 Transimpedence Circuit 146 5.3.1.2 Dark Current Cancellation Circuit 153 5.3.1.3 Logarithmic Conversion Circuit 154 5.3.1.4 Circuit for Low-Frequency Suppression 157 5.3.1.5 Narrow-Band Response Circuit 159 5.3.2 Circuits for Fast Pulses and Communications 160 5.3.2.1 High-Frequency Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIA) 160 5.3.2.2 Equalization Technique 165 5.3.2.3 Switched Capacitor Technique 168 References 172 Problems 173 Chapter 6 Avalanche Photodiode, SPAD and SiPM 175 6.1 Avalanche Photodiode 175 6.1.1 Gain of the APDs 177 6.1.2 Frequency Response and Noise 180 6.1.3 Experimental Evidence and Deviations 187 6.1.4 APD Structures 187 6.1.5 Bandgap Engineered APD 190 6.1.6 APD Biasing and Requisites 193 6.2 Single Photon Avalanche Detectors (SPAD) 195 6.2.1 The APD in Geiger Mode 195 6.2.2 SPAD Structures 200 6.2.3 SPAD Quenching 202 6.2.4 SPAD Performances and Parameters 204 6.3 Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) 206 6.4 SPAD Arrays 210 6.4.1 Microlenses for SPAD Arrays 212 6.4.2 Applications of SPAD Arrays 216 References 218 Problems 220 Chapter 7 Phototransistors, Photoconductors and SNSPD 221 7.1 Phototransistors 221 7.1.1 Bipolar Phototransistor 222 7.1.2 The Optocoupler 225 7.1.3 Unipolar Phototransistors and PhoSCR 227 7.2 Photoconductors 231 7.2.1 Photoconduction and Trapping Gain 232 7.2.2 Photoconductance 234 7.2.3 Frequency Response and Noise 234 7.2.4 Phoconductor Types 236 7.2.5 PV and PC Detectors for IR 237 7.3 Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector 239 References 244 Chapter 8 Thermal Detectors and Thermography 245 8.1 Basics of Thermal Detectors 246 8.2 Detectivity of Thermal Detectors 251 8.3 Temperature Measurements and NEDT 253 8.3.1 Accuracy of Temperature Measurement 254 8.3.2 Emissivity and Correction of Temperature Measurement 257 8.3.3 Two-Color Pyrometry 259 8.3.4 Thermography and Applications 259 References 262 Problems 263 Chapter 9 Solar Cells 265 9.1 Electrical Parameters 266 9.2 Solar Spectrum and Quantum Efficiency 269 9.3 System Efficiency 271 9.4 Solar Cell Structures and Materials 271 9.4.1 Second Generation Materials 275 9.5 Photovoltaic Systems 277 References 282 Problems 282 Chapter 10 Coherent Detection 283 10.1 Direct and Coherent Detection 284 10.1.1 Introduction 284 10.1.2 Coherence Factor 285 10.1.3 Signal to Noise Ratio 287 10.1.4 Conditions for Coherent Detection 289 10.1.5 S/N and BER, Number of Photons per Bit 290 10.2 Coherent Techniques 293 10.2.1 The Balanced Detector 293 10.2.2 The Balanced Scheme in Phase Measurements 296 10.2.3 Examples of Coherent Schemes 296 10.2.4 Photomixing 298 References 301 Problems 301 Chapter 11 Photodetection Techniques 303 11.1 Detection with Optical Preamplification 303 11.2 Injection Detection 308 11.2.1 Injection Gain 309 11.2.2 Bandwidth and Noise of Injection Detection 314 11.2.3 Detection of Terahertz Waves 314 11.3 Non-Demolitive Detection 316 11.4 Detection of Squeezed States 320 11.5 Ultrafast (ps and fs) Pulse Detection 326 11.5.1 Autocorrelation Measurements 327 11.5.2 FROG 333 11.6 Detection for Quantum Communications 335 11.7 Detection for LIDAR 340 References 343 Problems 344 Chapter 12 Image Detectors 347 12.1 The Early Imaging Device: the Vidicon 348 12.2 Charge Coupled Devices 349 12.2.1 Introduction 349 12.2.2 Principle of Operation 349 12.2.3 Properties and Parameters 351 12.2.4 Image Organization 360 12.2.5 Output Stage 366 12.3 Spatial Resolution and MTF 368 12.3.1 Spatial Transfer Function 368 12.3.2 MTF Properties 370 12.3.3 Image Sampling and Moiré 372 12.3.4 Applications 375 12.4 Image Converters and Intensifiers 377 12.4.1 Introduction 377 12.4.2 Basic Functions and Gain 378 12.4.3 Intensifier Generations 381 12.4.4 Parameters and Performances 385 12.4.5 Zoom, Gated and X-Rays Intensifiers 388 12.4.6 Streak-camera Intensifiers 390 References 393 Problems 394 Appendixes 395 A1 Spectral Ranges and Measure Units 395 A1.1 Nomenclature 395 A1.2 Transmission of Natural Media 355 A1.3 Radiometric and Photometric Units 397 A1.4 Attenuation Units 399 A1.5 Blackbody Radiance 401 A1.6 Luminous and Radiant Sensitivity 403 References 404 Problems 404 A2 Eye Performances 405 A2.1 Visual Acuity 405 A2.2 Chromatic Perception 408 References 414 A3 Noise Revisited 414 A3.1 Shot Noise 414 A3.2 Noise in Resistors 416 A3.3 Noise from Statistical Thermodynamics 417 References 419 A4 Calculations on Photodiodes 419 A4.1 Calculation of the Intrinsic Speed of Response 419 A4.2 Series Resistance 422 A4.3 Calculations on the Transimpedance Circuit 423 A4.4 The Transimpedance Scheme at High Frequencies 424 A4.5 Edge Effects and Guard Ring 426 References 426 A5 New Model of Noise 427 A5.1 Semiclassical Wave model 427 References 432 Index 433