Mid-infrared photodetection in an AlGaAs/GaAs quantum-well infrared photodetector using photoinduced noise

Journal Article · Sat Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4936307· OSTI ID:22492978

Fernandes, F. M. ^[1]; Quivy, A. A. ^[1]

---

1. Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, travessa R, 187, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP (Brazil)

We propose a new way to assess the output signal of a quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP). Instead of measuring the photocurrent produced by the device, as usually done, we show that the noise induced by the absorption process can be used to generate a useful detection signal. We built a simple electronic circuit able to quantify the noise of an AlGaAs/GaAs QWIP that was intentionally designed to produce no photocurrent at all, and we demonstrated that such a circuit was able to generate a strong output signal whenever an infrared radiation of a specific wavelength was shed on the detector. This concept opens new possibilities for the design of novel types of photodetection systems.

• OSTI ID: 22492978
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 118, Issue 20; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
DETECTION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
INFRARED RADIATION
PHOTODETECTORS
QUANTUM WELLS
SIGNALS
WAVELENGTHS