Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An integrated photovoltaic detector includes a reference photovoltaic detector and an active photovoltaic detector in a series connection. The reference detector produces a dark current that opposes the active detector's dark current. The active detector effectively masks the reference detector from incident illumination so that the active detector produces photocurrent but the reference detector does not. The band gap of the reference detector is preferably matched to the active detector so that their dark currents are substantially matched over a temperature range. As a result, the current read out of the integrated detector at the series connection is approximately equal to the photocurrent generated by the active detector. This improves the detector's SNR, signal resolution, and useful operating temperature range.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim