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Optical Detectors

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Springer Handbook of Lasers and Optics

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

Optical detectors are applied in all fields of human activities – from basic research to commercial applications in communication, automotive, medical imaging, homeland security, and other fields. The processes of light interaction with matter described in other chapters of this handbook form the basis for understanding the optical detectors physics and device properties.

This chapter starts with a brief historical sketch of first experiments facilitating development of optical detectors. The overview of photo detector types is followed by the description of the most important figures of merit and different detection regimes.

A detailed description of different types of optical detectors is presented in the following sections. The device structure and physics as well as important materials for fabrication, figures of merit, and brief application notes are given for photoconductors, photodiodes, quantum well photodetectors, semiconductor detectors with intrinsic amplification, charge transfer detectors, photoemissive detectors, and thermal photodetectors. The chapter includes also a brief overview of imaging systems and principles of black and white and color photography.

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Abbreviations

BLIP:

background-limited infrared photodetector

CCD:

charge-coupled device

CCIS:

charge-coupled image sensor

CMOS:

complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor detector

CTIS:

charge transfer image sensor

DEPFET:

depleted field effect transistor structure

FET:

field effect transistor

FWHM:

full width at half-maximum

IR:

infrared

LIDAR:

light detecting and ranging

MCP:

microchannel plate

MIS:

metal–insulator–semiconductor

MOS:

metal–oxide–semiconductor

MTF:

modulation transfer function

NEP:

noise equivalent power

PMT:

photomultiplier tube

QDIP:

quantum-dot infrared photodetector

QWIP:

quantum well infrared photodetector

SOI:

silicon-on-insulator

TV:

television

UV:

ultraviolet

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SEMICOA, 333 McCormick Avenue, 92626, Costa Mesa, CA, USA

    Alexander Goushcha Prof.

  2. Engineering Department, Semicoa, 333 McCormick Avenue, 92626, Costa Mesa, CA, USA

    Bernd Tabbert Dr.

Authors
  1. Alexander Goushcha Prof.
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  2. Bernd Tabbert Dr.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Alexander Goushcha Prof. or Bernd Tabbert Dr. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany

    Frank Träger Prof.

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Goushcha, A., Tabbert, B. (2007). Optical Detectors. In: Träger, F. (eds) Springer Handbook of Lasers and Optics. Springer Handbooks. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30420-5_9

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