Fundamental sensitivity limit imposed by dark 1/f noise in the low optical
signal detection regime

doi:10.1364/OE.16.006822

Fundamental sensitivity limit imposed by dark 1/f noise in the low optical signal detection regime

Emily J. McDowell, Jian Ren, and Changhuei Yang »View Author Affiliations

Optics Express, Vol. 16, Issue 10, pp. 6822-6832 (2008)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.006822

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Abstract
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Abstract

The impact of dark 1/f noise on fundamental signal sensitivity in direct low optical signal detection is an understudied issue. In this theoretical manuscript, we study the limitations of an idealized detector with a combination of white noise and 1/f noise, operating in detector dark noise limited mode. In contrast to white noise limited detection schemes, for which there is no fundamental minimum signal sensitivity limit, we find that the 1/f noise characteristics, including the noise exponent factor and the relative amplitudes of white and 1/f noise, set a fundamental limit on the minimum signal that such a detector can detect.

OCIS Codes
(040.3780) Detectors : Low light level
(230.5160) Optical devices : Photodetectors

ToC Category:
Detectors

History
Original Manuscript: March 10, 2008
Revised Manuscript: April 9, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: April 9, 2008
Published: April 28, 2008

Citation
Emily J. McDowell, Jian Ren, and Changhuei Yang, "Fundamental sensitivity limit imposed by dark 1/f noise in the low optical signal detection regime," Opt. Express 16, 6822-6832 (2008)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-16-10-6822

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References

S. O. Flyckt and C. Marmonier, Photomultiplier tubes: Principles and applications (Photonis, 2002).
M. C. Teich, K. Matsuo, and B. E. A. Saleh, "Excess noise factors for conventional and superlattice avalanche photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes," IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 22, 1184-1193 (1986). [CrossRef]
E. J. McDowell, X. Cui, Y. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "A generalized noise variance analysis model and its application to the characterization of 1/f noise," Opt. Express 15, (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
P. Dutta and P. M. Horn, "Low-frequency fluctuations in solids - 1/f noise," Rev. Mod. Phys. 53, 497-516 (1981). [CrossRef]
W. H. Press, "Flicker noises in astronomy and elsewhere," Comments Astrophys. 7, 103-119 (1978).
M. B. Weissman, "1/f noise and other slow, nonexponential kinetics in condensed matter," Rev. Mod. Phys. 60, 537-571 (1988). [CrossRef]
E. Milotti, "1/f noise: A pedagogical review," invited talk to E-GLEA-2 (2001).
D. W. Allan, "Statistics of atomic frequency standards," Proc. Inst. Electr. Eng. 54, 221-230 (1966).
J. A. Barnes, A. R. Chi, L. S. Cutler, D. J. Healey, D. B. Leeson, T. E. McGuniga, J. A. Mullen, W. L. Smith, R. L. Sydnor, R. F. C. Vessot, and G. M. R. Winkler, "Characterization of frequency stability," IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas. 20, 105-120 (1971). [CrossRef]
I. S. Gradshteyn and I. M. Ryzhik, Table of Integrals, Series, and Products (Elsevier, 2007).

Allan, D. W.
Barnes, J. A.
Chi, A. R.
Cui, X.
Cutler, L. S.
Dutta, P.
Healey, D. J.
Horn, P. M.
Leeson, D. B.
Matsuo, K.
McDowell, E. J.
McGuniga, T. E.
Mullen, J. A.
Press, W. H.
Saleh, B. E. A.
Smith, W. L.
Sydnor, R. L.
Teich, M. C.
Vessot, R. F. C.
Weissman, M. B.
Winkler, G. M. R.
Yang, C.
Yaqoob, Y.

Comments Astrophys.

W. H. Press, "Flicker noises in astronomy and elsewhere," Comments Astrophys. 7, 103-119 (1978).

IEEE J. Quantum Electron.

M. C. Teich, K. Matsuo, and B. E. A. Saleh, "Excess noise factors for conventional and superlattice avalanche photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes," IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 22, 1184-1193 (1986). [CrossRef]

IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas.

J. A. Barnes, A. R. Chi, L. S. Cutler, D. J. Healey, D. B. Leeson, T. E. McGuniga, J. A. Mullen, W. L. Smith, R. L. Sydnor, R. F. C. Vessot, and G. M. R. Winkler, "Characterization of frequency stability," IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas. 20, 105-120 (1971). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

E. J. McDowell, X. Cui, Y. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "A generalized noise variance analysis model and its application to the characterization of 1/f noise," Opt. Express 15, (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Proc. Inst. Electr. Eng.

D. W. Allan, "Statistics of atomic frequency standards," Proc. Inst. Electr. Eng. 54, 221-230 (1966).

Rev. Mod. Phys.

P. Dutta and P. M. Horn, "Low-frequency fluctuations in solids - 1/f noise," Rev. Mod. Phys. 53, 497-516 (1981). [CrossRef]
M. B. Weissman, "1/f noise and other slow, nonexponential kinetics in condensed matter," Rev. Mod. Phys. 60, 537-571 (1988). [CrossRef]

Other

E. Milotti, "1/f noise: A pedagogical review," invited talk to E-GLEA-2 (2001).
S. O. Flyckt and C. Marmonier, Photomultiplier tubes: Principles and applications (Photonis, 2002).
I. S. Gradshteyn and I. M. Ryzhik, Table of Integrals, Series, and Products (Elsevier, 2007).

2007, McDowell, Opt. Express
1988, Weissman, Rev. Mod. Phys.
1986, Teich, IEEE J. Quantum Electron.
1981, Dutta, Rev. Mod. Phys.
1978, Press, Comments Astrophys.
1971, Barnes, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas.
1966, Allan, Proc. Inst. Electr. Eng.

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