4. CHARACTERISTICS
The primary photocurrent resulting from absorption is:
Quantum Efficiency:
Responsivity:
S/N:
)1)(1( )(
0 f
w
p ReP
h
q
I s
hP
qIP
/
/
photonsincidentof#
pairsatedphotogenerhole-electronof#
0
[A/W]
0
h
q
P
IP
powernoiseamplifierpowernoisetorphotodetec
ntphotocurrefrompowersignal
N
S
5. p-i-n PHOTODIODE
The high electric field present in the depletion region causes
photo-generated carriers to separate and be collected across the
reverse –biased junction. This give rise to a current flow in an
external circuit, known as photocurrent.
w
8. Internally multiplies the primary photocurrent
before entry.
photogenerated electrons and holes travel through
high field region & gain enough energy to ionize
bound electrons in VB upon colliding with them.
This multiplication is known as impact ionization.
The newly created carriers in the presence of high
electric field result in more ionization called
avalanche effect.
10. NOISE
Quantum (Shot) noisephoto-generated
electrons.
Dark current noise: current continues to flow
through the bias circuit in the absence of the light.
=bulk dark current + surface dark current
thermally generated e
and h in the pn junction
surface defects, bias
voltage and surface area
11. RESPONSE TIME
Depends on:
Transit time of photocarriers.
Diffusion time of photocarriers outside depletion
region.
RC time constant large value limits the
detector response time.
d
d
v
w
t
12. MERITS
PIN detect high energy charged or uncharged particles &
also electromagnetic radiation
no gain, so useful in some applications
no high operating voltage required
low noise & cost
high efficiency
long lifetime
APD large gain
greater level of sensitivity
high speed
13. DEMERITS
PIN:
Less sensitivity
No internal gain
Small area
Slow response time
APD:
Much higher operating voltage required
Much higher level of noise
Output is not linear
Requires high reverse bias for operation
Not as widely used due to low reliability
14. APPLICATIONS
PIN photodiode most widely used
Audio CD players
DVD players
Computer CD drives
Optical communication systems
Nuclear radiation detectors
APD level of gain is of importance for high voltage
requirement.
Laser range finders
fast receiver modules for data communications
high speed laser scanner (2D bar code reader)
speed gun
PET Scanner
microscopy and particle detection.