Ge:Ga AND Ge:Be Photoconductive Detectors For Far Infrared Astronomy From A Space Platform

P. R. Bratt; N N. Lewis; R. L. Nielsen

doi:10.1117/12.956062

6 June 1978 Ge:Ga AND Ge:Be Photoconductive Detectors For Far Infrared Astronomy From A Space Platform

P. R. Bratt, N N. Lewis, R. L. Nielsen

Proceedings Volume 0132, Utilization of Infrared Detectors; (1978) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956062
Event: 1978 Los Angeles Technical Symposium, 1978, Los Angeles, United States

Abstract

This paper presents the major results of a NASA supported development effort on Ge:Ga and Ge:Be photoconductive detectors for use in far infrared astronomical observations from a space platform such as IRAS. Ge:Be is useful in the wavelength range from 30- to 55-Âµm, and Ge:Ga from 50- to 120-µm. The theory of operation and some typical test data which represent the current state of the art are given. Under a background photon flux density on the order of 1 X 109 ph/sec/cm², an operating temperature of 3K and a measuring frequency of 1 Hz, Ge:Be detectors achieved an NEP (40 Âµm) of 2 to 3 x 10^-16 watt/Hz½, and Ge:Ga detectors achieved an NEP (100 Âµm) of about 1 X 10-16 watt/Hz 1/2. At a lower backa,round flux calculated to be 4 X 108ph/sec/cm², one Ge:Ga detector attained an NEP (100 Âµm) of 5 X 10-17 watt/Hz 1/2. The reproducibility and yield of these detectors are adequate to consider their use in large focal plane arrays for far infrared astronomical observations.

Citation Download Citation

P. R. Bratt, N N. Lewis, and R. L. Nielsen "Ge:Ga AND Ge:Be Photoconductive Detectors For Far Infrared Astronomy From A Space Platform", Proc. SPIE 0132, Utilization of Infrared Detectors, (6 June 1978); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956062

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
13 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Sensors

Signal detection

Infrared sensors

Far infrared

Crystals

Resistance

Chemical species

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years