Comparison of ultimate limits of interband cascade infrared photodetectors and single-absorber detectors

Robert T. Hinkey; Rui Q. Yang

doi:10.1117/12.2024468

19 September 2013 Comparison of ultimate limits of interband cascade infrared photodetectors and single-absorber detectors

Robert T. Hinkey, Rui Q. Yang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8868, Infrared Sensors, Devices, and Applications III; 886804 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024468
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A comparison of the ultimate limits of multiple-stage interband cascade infrared photodetectors (ICIPs) with standard single-absorber photovoltaic infrared detectors is presented. In particular, we focus on how the multiple-stage architecture can offer an improvement in sensitivity over single-absorber detectors in situations where the latter detector type is limited by a low photocarrier collection efficiency. A general overview of the ICIP architecture and its benefits in carrier collection improvement, and noise reduction is presented. The developed theory is then applied to compare single- and multiple-stage detectors operating in the strong signal regime. It is found that if ICIPs are designed with photocurrent-matched absorbers, the signal-to-noise ratio depends on the total particle conversion efficiency of the device. The potential benefits of the ICIP architecture are shown to be greatest when the quantum efficiency of singleabsorber detectors is limited by poor photo-carrier extraction.

Citation Download Citation

Robert T. Hinkey and Rui Q. Yang "Comparison of ultimate limits of interband cascade infrared photodetectors and single-absorber detectors", Proc. SPIE 8868, Infrared Sensors, Devices, and Applications III, 886804 (19 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024468

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