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Semiconductors for low energies: incoherent infrared/sub-millimetre detectors

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Observing Photons in Space

Part of the book series: ISSI Scientific Report Series ((ISSI,volume 9))

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Abstract

Semiconductor-based detectors have been used to detect infrared radiation since the early days of space astronomy, and are now the workhorse of infrared space missions. Whilst their leading position in space applications is starting to be challenged by the promise of large-format, high-performance bolometer arrays, semiconductor devices are currently the most sensitive detector type at infrared wavelengths and will undoubtedly continue to play an important role. This chapter gives an overview of the state-of-the-art semiconductor-based detector types and the materials commonly used to cover the different wavelengths, providing insight into the key performance parameters and system trade-offs. Important considerations for the operation of semiconductor-based detectors and the most common read-out techniques and interconnection schemes used are also discussed. The chapter is rounded off by a brief overview of the most promising technologies currently under development in this waveband.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MPE—Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany

    Walfried Raab

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  1. Walfried Raab
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland

    Martin C. E. Huber , Anuschka Pauluhn  & Alex Zehnder ,  & 

  2. Mullard Space Science Lab, University College London, Dorking, Surrey, UK

    J. Len Culhane

  3. Nightsen, Inc., Tiverton, Rhode Island, USA

    J. Gethyn Timothy

  4. Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

    Klaus Wilhelm

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Raab, W. (2013). Semiconductors for low energies: incoherent infrared/sub-millimetre detectors. In: Huber, M.C.E., Pauluhn, A., Culhane, J.L., Timothy, J.G., Wilhelm, K., Zehnder, A. (eds) Observing Photons in Space. ISSI Scientific Report Series, vol 9. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7804-1_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7804-1_30

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7803-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7804-1

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