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

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4936307· OSTI ID:22492978
 [1];  [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, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 118; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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