Strain balance approach for optimized signal-to-noise ratio in SiGe quantum well bolometers

This work presents thermal and electrical characterization of SiGe/Si multi-quantum wells (MQWs) with different layer profiles in complete bolometer structures. The thermal property of the bolometers was studied by measuring thermal coefficient of resistivity (TCR) through I-V curves for five temperatures (25, 40, 55, 80 and 100degC) and for four different pixel areas. The results show a strong dependency of TCR on the Si/SiGe layer thickness and the presence of dopant impurity in the MQW. The noise measurements of MQWs were performed carefully by eliminating all external contributions and the noise spectroscopy provided the noise characteristic parameters. The results demonstrate that the noise depends on the geometric size of the MQW and it increases with decreasing of the pixel area. The investigations show the noise level in the bolometer structures is sensitive to any dopant segregation from the contact layers.