Total active area silicon photodiode array
Silicon photodiode arrays with total active area noting element isolation
Egan, J. V.↗
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Photoelectron counting with an image intensifier tube and a self-scanned photodiode array
A self-scanned photodiode array was fiber-optically coupled to an ITT proximity-focused image intensifier tube. It was determined that a single photoelectron event produces 34,000 charge carriers in a photodiode. This charge is only a factor of 2.8 above the rms noise level of the preamplifier used in the tests, but standard charge-sensitive techniques are at least a factor of 12 better. The image tube and photodiode array combination can be packaged in a disk 5.1 cm in diameter and 2.6 cm thick.
Sandel, B. R.↗
Design and Development of 256x256 Linear Mode Low-Noise Avalanche Photodiode Arrays
A larger format photodiode array is always desirable for many LADAR imaging applications. However, as the array format increases, the laser power or the lens aperture has to increase to maintain the same flux per pixel thus increasing the size, weight and power of the imaging system. In order to avoid this negative impact, it is essential to improve the pixel sensitivity. The sensitivity of a short wavelength infrared linear-mode avalanche photodiode (APD) is a delicate balance of quantum efficiency, usable gain, excess noise factor, capacitance, and dark current of APD as well as the input equivalent noise of the amplifier. By using InA1As as a multiplication layer in an InP-based APD, the ionization coefficient ratio, k, is reduced from 0.40 (lnP) to 0.22, and the excess noise is reduced by about 50%. An additional improvement in excess noise of 25% was achieved by employing an impact-ionization-engineering structure with a k value of 0.15. Compared with the traditional InP structure, about 30% reduction in the noise-equivalent power with the following amplifier can be achieved. Spectrolab demonstrated 30-um mesa APD pixels with a dark current less than 10 nA and a capacitance of 60 fF at gain of 10. APD gain uninformity determines the usable gain of most pixels in an array, which is critical to focal plane array sensitivity. By fine tuning the material growth and device process, a break-down-voltage standard deviation of 0.1 V and gain of 30 on individual pixels were demonstrated in our 256x256 linear-mode APD arrays.
Yuan, Ping↗
The Use of Self-scanned Silicon Photodiode Arrays for Astronomical Spectrophotometry
The use of a Reticon self scanned silicon photodiode array for precision spectrophotometry is discussed. It is shown that internal errors are + or - 0.003 mag. Observations obtained with a photodiode array are compared with observations obtained with other types of detectors with agreement, from 3500 A to 10500 A, of 1%. The photometric properties of self scanned photodiode arrays are discussed. Potential pitfalls are given.
Cochran, A. L.↗
A photon-counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy
A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location.
Hartig, G. F.↗
Photon counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy
A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location. Previously announced in STAR as N82-19118
Hartig, G. F.↗
Linear Array Photodiode and Data Acquisition System Development for Multi-Point Line FLDI Measurements
The continuous development and advancement of multi-point line focused laser differential interferometry (FLDI) instruments requires larger numbers of acquisition channels to make more finely spatially resolved measurements of high-frequency flow fluctuations. No current off-the-shelf system exists for these line FLDI measurements, and so a single unified system consisting of a linear array photodiode, required electronics, and a data acquisition system has been developed to enhance the measurement resolution, both spatially and temporally. A printed circuit board was developed on which the linear array photodiode is mounted for inclusion into an existing FLDI system, and amplifier breakout boards incorporate electronics to condition the signal for the data acquisition system while retaining the necessary high frequency response. The data acquisition system uses a National Instruments chassis and multiple oscilloscope modules, with a specially-designed LabVIEW user interface for laboratory and wind tunnel setup, calibration, and testing. Details regarding the development of the linear array photodiode system and the data acquisition system are provided, and systematic testing of all components is presented, culminating in a test of the system integrated into an existing line FLDI system for measurements of a turbulent jet.
Joshua M Weisberger↗
Large-Format AlGaN PIN Photodiode Arrays for UV Images
A large-format hybridized AlGaN photodiode array with an adjustable bandwidth features stray-light control, ultralow dark-current noise to reduce cooling requirements, and much higher radiation tolerance than previous technologies. This technology reduces the size, mass, power, and cost of future ultraviolet (UV) detection instruments by using lightweight, low-voltage AlGaN detectors in a hybrid detector/multiplexer configuration. The solar-blind feature eliminates the need for additional visible light rejection and reduces the sensitivity of the system to stray light that can contaminate observations.
Aslam, Shahid↗
Intensified silicon photodiode array detector linearity Application to coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy
The linearity of an intensified silicon photodiode array multichannel detector is studied with coherent anti-Stokes Raman and other similar signals. Studies with diffuse and focused (spherically and cylindrically) signals resolved apparent saturation problems which limit the dynamic range of the detector. In addition, it has been shown that there is no short-range wavelength (473-532-nm) dependence on this saturation. Theoretical explanations for these phenomena are also included.
Antcliff, R. R.↗
Avalanche Photodiode Arrays for Optical Communications Receivers
An avalanche photodiode (APD) array for ground-based optical communications receivers is investigated for the reception of optical signals through the turbulent atmosphere. Kolmogorov phase screen simulations are used to generate realistic spatial distributions of the received optical field. It is shown that use of an APD array for pulse-position modulation detection can improve performance by up to 4 dB over single APD detection in the presence of turbulence, but that photon-counting detector arrays yield even greater gains.
Srinivasan, M.↗
A linear photodiode array employed in a short range laser triangulation obstacle avoidance sensor
An opto-electronic receiver incorporating a multi-element linear photodiode array as a component of a laser-triangulation rangefinder was developed as an obstacle avoidance sensor for a Martian roving vehicle. The detector can resolve the angle of laser return in 1.5 deg increments within a field of view of 30 deg and a range of five meters. A second receiver with a 1024 elements over 60 deg and a 3 meter range is also documented. Design criteria, circuit operation, schematics, experimental results and calibration procedures are discussed.
Odenthal, J. P.↗
Self-scanned photodiode array - High performance operation in high dispersion astronomical spectrophotometry
A multichannel spectrophotometric detector system has been developed using a 1024 element self-scanned silicon photodiode array, which is now in routine operation with the high-dispersion coude spectrograph of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory 2.7-m telescope. Operational considerations in the use of such arrays for high precision and low light level spectrophotometry are discussed. A detailed description of the system is presented. Performance of the detector as measured in the laboratory and on astronomical program objects is described, and it is shown that these arrays are highly effective detectors for high dispersion astronomical spectroscopy.
Vogt, S. S.↗
A Discrete Component Low-Noise Preamplifier Readout for a Linear (1x16) SiC Photodiode Array
A compact, low-noise and inexpensive preamplifier circuit has been designed and fabricated to optimally readout a common cathode (1x16) channel 4H-SiC Schottky photodiode array for use in ultraviolet experiments. The readout uses an operational amplifier with 10 pF capacitor in the feedback loop in parallel with a low leakage switch for each of the channels. This circuit configuration allows for reiterative sample, integrate and reset. A sampling technique is given to remove Johnson noise, enabling a femtoampere level readout noise performance. Commercial-off-the-shelf acquisition electronics are used to digitize the preamplifier analogue signals. The data logging acquisition electronics has a different integration circuit, which allows the bandwidth and gain to be independently adjusted. Using this readout, photoresponse measurements across the array between spectral wavelengths 200 nm and 370 nm are made to establish the array pixels external quantum efficiency, current responsivity and noise equivalent power.
low-noise preamplifier↗
Application of a silicon photodiode array for solar edge tracking in the Halogen Occultation Experiment
The optical and electronic design of the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) elevation sunsensor is described. This system uses a Galilean telescope to form a solar image on a linear silicon photodiode array. The array is a self-scanned, monolithic charge coupled device. The addresses of both solar edges imaged on the array are used by the control/pointing system to scan the HALOE science instantaneous-field-of-view (IFOV) across the vertical solar diameter during instrument calibration, and then maintain the science IFOV four arcmin below the top edge during the science data occultation event. Vertical resolution of 16 arcsec and a radiometric dynamic range of 100 are achieved at the 0.7 micrometer operating wavelength. The design provides for loss of individual photodiode elements without loss of angular tracking capability. The HALOE instrument is a gas correlation radiometer that is now being developed by NASA Langley Research Center for the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite.
Mauldin, L. E., III↗
An intensified photodiode array detector for space applications
The Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) is a general purpose moderate resolution spectrograph which is now being constructed for launch on the Space Shuttle. The instrument contains a Rowland spectrograph, which is located at the prime focus of a 0.9-m f/2 parabola. A description is given of the progress which has been made in the development of a flight detector for HUT. The detector developed is an intensified photodiode array. The image intensifier part of the detector contains two 25-mm 80:1, 12-micron pore microchannel plates (PCPs). A thin layer of CsI deposited on the front surface of the first microchannel plate has the objective to increase the quantum efficiency of the detector below 1850 A. The detector system utilizes a spectrometer processor (SP) which is based upon a bit-sliced microprocessor. The current status of the HUT detector system is discussed, and aspects of performance are evaluated. It is felt that the developed system will meet or exceed the design requirements.
Long, K. S.↗
ASIC Readout Circuit Architecture for Large Geiger Photodiode Arrays
The objective of this work was to develop a new class of readout integrated circuit (ROIC) arrays to be operated with Geiger avalanche photodiode (GPD) arrays, by integrating multiple functions at the pixel level (smart-pixel or active pixel technology) in 250-nm CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) processes. In order to pack a maximum of functions within a minimum pixel size, the ROIC array is a full, custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design using a mixed-signal CMOS process with compact primitive layout cells. The ROIC array was processed to allow assembly in bump-bonding technology with photon-counting infrared detector arrays into 3-D imaging cameras (LADAR). The ROIC architecture was designed to work with either common- anode Si GPD arrays or common-cathode InGaAs GPD arrays. The current ROIC pixel design is hardwired prior to processing one of the two GPD array configurations, and it has the provision to allow soft reconfiguration to either array (to be implemented into the next ROIC array generation). The ROIC pixel architecture implements the Geiger avalanche quenching, bias, reset, and time to digital conversion (TDC) functions in full-digital design, and uses time domain over-sampling (vernier) to allow high temporal resolution at low clock rates, increased data yield, and improved utilization of the laser beam.
Vasile, Stefan↗
Probabilistic Processing of Asynchronous Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiode Arrays for Background Rate Measurements
A system-level performance evaluation of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) arrays requires accurate measurement and prediction of the background rate of the device due to dark counts and other spurious detection events. Since a GmAPD detector reports only a binary value and timestamp associated with an avalanche event, dark count rates are typically measured by averaging thousands of frames to support a statistically significant measurement. For both synchronous and asynchronous detector, the Poisson distributed background rates are referenced to the time each pixel is armed. Unlike for synchronous GmAPD imagers where all the pixels are armed to an array-wide arm signal, an asynchronous pixel operates independently from its neighboring pixels; requiring the background rates to be calculated using an interarrival histogram. For both types of imagers, the background rate is typically evaluated by fitting an exponential distribution to a fixed window within a measured histogram of time intervals between detection events However, if the statistics of the background rate are insufficient – whether that is due to low population sizes, saturation, or a large dynamic range of population size across the array, the pixel, or array-wide, performance metrics may report results with varying accuracy. This paper reports on an implementation of an algorithm that evaluates GmAPD background rates based on statistical metrics rather than fixed windows. The algorithm functions by determining the appropriate integration window within the interarrival time histogram based on a per-pixel count rate set by a predetermined tolerable measurement error. The implementation of the algorithm allows us to characterize GmAPD arrays with orders of magnitude spread in background rates across the detector using common statistical parameters.
Mumolo, J.↗
Evaluation of Space Radiation Effects on HgCdTe Avalanche Photodiode Arrays for Lidar Applications
We report the results from proton and gamma ray radiation testing of HgCdTe avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays developed by Leonardo DRS for space lidar detectors. We tested these devices with both approximately 60 MeV protons and gamma rays, with and without the read out integrated circuit (ROIC). We also measured the transient responses with the device fully powered and with the APD gain from unity to greater than 1000. The detectors produced a large current impulse in response to each proton hit but the response completely recovered within 1 microsecond. The devices started to have persistent damage at a proton fluence of 7e10 protons/cm2, equivalent to 10 krad(Si) total ionization dose. The dark current became much higher after the device was warmed to room temperature and cooled to 80K again, but it completely annealed after baking at 85 C for several hours. These results showed the HgCdTe APD arrays are suitable for use in space lidar for typical Earth orbiting and planetary missions provided that provisions are made to heat the detector chip to 85 C for several hours after radiation damage becomes evident that system performance is impacted.
Sun, Xiaoli↗