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Photo Detectors: Devices Used For The Detection of Light

This document discusses photodetectors, which are devices that convert light signals into an electrical voltage or current. The main types discussed are photodiodes, specifically p-i-n photodiodes, and metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors. P-i-n photodiodes have a thicker depletion region than standard p-n photodiodes, allowing for more efficient carrier collection and higher detection bandwidths. Photodetectors are used in applications like fiber optic communications, electronic equipment, and safety/security systems.

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MKAMRANBHATTI
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133 views12 pages

Photo Detectors: Devices Used For The Detection of Light

This document discusses photodetectors, which are devices that convert light signals into an electrical voltage or current. The main types discussed are photodiodes, specifically p-i-n photodiodes, and metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors. P-i-n photodiodes have a thicker depletion region than standard p-n photodiodes, allowing for more efficient carrier collection and higher detection bandwidths. Photodetectors are used in applications like fiber optic communications, electronic equipment, and safety/security systems.

Uploaded by

MKAMRANBHATTI
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PHOTO

DETECTORS
DEVICES USED FOR THE DETECTION OF LIGHT

Muhammad Kamran Bhatti


BE – MM - 32
PHOTODETECTORS

Devices used for the detection of light

Convert light signals to a voltage or current.

The absorption of photons creates electron

hole pairs.

Anti-reflection coating reduces reflections.


PHOTODETECTORS TYPES
PHOTODIODES:

 Semiconductor devices with a p–n junction


or p–i–n structure (i = intrinsic material)
(→ p–i–n photodiodes)
 Light is absorbed in a depletion region and
generates a photocurrent
PHOTODIODES:

 Very compact, fast, and exhibit a high


quantum efficiency (i.e., generate nearly one
electron per incident photon)
 A particularly sensitive type is that of avalanche
photodiodes, which are sometimes used even
for photon counting
PHOTODETECTORS
p–i–n photodiode

• Also called PIN photodiode


• A photodiode with an intrinsic (i) (i.e., undoped)
region in between the n- and p-doped regions.
• Most of the photons are absorbed in the intrinsic
region
• Carriers (e & holes) generated therein can efficiently
contribute to the photocurrent
PHOTODETECTORS
p–i–n photodiode

Figure 1: Schematic drawing of a p–i–n photodiode. The


green layer is an anti-reflection coating. Si N
3 4
p–i–n photodiode

Compared with an ordinary p–n photodiode, a


p–i–n photodiode has a thicker depletion
region, which allows a more efficient collection
of the carriers and thus
•a larger quantum efficiency
•Leads to higher detection bandwidth
p–i–n photodiode

 Materials
 Silicon (Most Common)
 sensitive throughout the visible spectral region
and in the near infrared up to ∼ 1 μm
 thickness of the i region

 InGaAs
 For longer wavelengths up to ∼ 1.7 μm (or
with extended spectral response up to 2.6 μm)
 particularly for large active areas
 higher prices
METAL–SEMICONDUCTOR–METAL
PHOTODETECTOR (MSM DETECTOR)

 Containing two metallic electrodes on a


semiconductor material
 electric voltage is applied to the electrodes
 When light impinges on the semiconductor between
the electrodes, it generates electric carriers (electrons
and holes)
 Which are collected by the electric field and thus can
form a photocurrent.
PHOTODETECTORS

SOME MORE TYPES

 Phototransistors
 Photomultipliers
 Pyroelectric photodetectors
 Thermal detectors
PHOTODETECTORS
PROPERTIES CONSIDERATIONS
 Sensitive in some given spectral region
(range of optical wavelengths)
 high responsivity
 High Quantum efficiency
 Active area of a detector
 Detection bandwidth
 Size, robustness and cost
PHOTODETECTORS

APPLICATIONS

• Fiber optic communications


• Electronic equipment
• Safety and security systems
• Process control

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