Alternate configurations for blocked impurity band detectors

Download
Author
Garcia, Jonathan C.
Date
2004-12Advisor
Haegel, Nancy M.
Karunasiri, Gamani
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Silicon Blocked Impurity Band (BIB) detectors are highly efficient, radiation-hardened photodetectors that operate in the range of 5-40 æm. To further extend BIB coverage to 40-350 æm, Ge and GaAs BIB detectors are under development; however, these new detectors face fabrication issues that have delayed their introduction. This thesis will describe the use of a numerical model to examine alternate operating modes for GaAs BIB detectors in order to bypass current fabrication issues. The numerical simulations provide an understanding of the fundamental physics that governs detector transport. The proposed alternatives to standard operation are created by reversing the detector's bias and varying the blocking layer thickness. Modeling indicates that reversing the bias on these detectors provides a larger signal current than standard configurations, while preserving the principal benefits gained from a multilayered device. At the same time, the alternate bias configuration allows for the use of thicker blocking layers, while preserving overall detector responsivity and reducing shot noise. This proposed new model of operation should allow for the relaxation of fabrication constraints without sacrificing the inherent benefits associated with BIB detectors. These devices are of potential interest for missile defense and terahertz surveillance applications.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Multi-layer fast neutron detectors based on composite heavy-oxide scintillators for detection of illegal nuclear materials
Ryzhikov, V.D.; Naydenov, S.V.; Onyshchenko, G.M.; Piven, L.A.; Pochet, T.; Smith, C.F. (Elsevier, 2018);We developed and characterized a new type (designated ZEBRA) of multi-layer composite heavy-oxide scintillator detectors for fast neutron detection for homeland security and nuclear safeguards applications. In this ... -
Development of a Hexapod Laser–Based Metrology Systems for a Finer Optical Beam Control
Chen, H.; Hospodar, E. Jr.; Agrawal, B.N. (2004);Free-Space Optical Communications requires stable and precise pointing on spacecraft to maintain optimal operating condition. One technology to achieve high precision pointing and steering for imaging or laser communication ... -
Noncoherent detection of BFSK signals with linear and nonlinear diversity combing over Rician fading channels with partial-band interference
Karaagac, Ahmet Cem (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1991-03);A performance analysis of Binary Orthogonal Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK) Fast Frequency Hopped (FFH) receivers implemented with both square-jaw and envelope detectors is performed. Bit error possibilities of the two ...