Abstract

This article presents a review and an analysis of the factors involved in determining the capability of semiconducting photodetectors to detect radiation. The photoconductive detector is used as the vehicle for this analysis. Signal and noise generation are examined individually for their contribution to noise equivalent power (NEP), the Jones classifications of detectors, and detectivity-star (D*). Equations for NEP are derived that permit direct examination of the influence of parameters such as bandwidth, area, and time constant in detector performance.

© 1962 Optical Society of America

Infrared Photodetectors: A Review of Operational Detectors

R. F. Potter and W. L. Eisenman
Appl. Opt. 1(5) 567-574 (1962)

The Detectivity of Intensifier Image Tubes

S. Nudelman
Appl. Opt. 5(12) 1925-1930 (1966)

Noise Limitations in Solid State Photodetectors

K. M. van Vliet
Appl. Opt. 6(7) 1145-1169 (1967)

The Detectivity of Electron Beam Scanning Types of Image Tubes

S. Nudelman
Appl. Opt. 6(1) 149-157 (1967)

Detection Limits in Radiation and Optical Pyrometry

D. R. Lovejoy
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 52(12) 1387-1398 (1962)