Title :
Photodetectors demystified
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Cincinnati Univ., OH, USA
Abstract :
The author focuses on light detectors and their properties. A classification of detectors is given, and phototubes and photomultiplier-tubes are described. Just as the tubes were classified, so again a distinction can made between solid-state detectors that have an internal gain and detectors that have no internal gain. Detectors with internal gain are the photoconductive detectors, the avalanche photodiode, and the phototransistor; detectors without internal gain include the p-i-n and Schottky barrier photodiodes. A discussion on how to choose photodetectors for a given application is given. Applications of different photodetectors and future research are discussed.<>
Keywords :
Schottky-barrier diodes; avalanche photodiodes; p-i-n photodiodes; photoconducting devices; photodetectors; photomultipliers; phototransistors; phototubes; Schottky barrier photodiodes; avalanche photodiode; internal gain; light detectors; p-i-n photodiodes; photoconductive detectors; photodetectors; photomultiplier; phototransistor; phototubes; solid-state detectors; Absorption; Detectors; Electron tubes; Glass; Optical fiber communication; Photoconductivity; Photodetectors; Photodiodes; Semiconductor impurities; Solid state circuits;
Journal_Title :
Potentials, IEEE
