An excess noise measurement system for weak responsivity avalanche photodiodes. (15th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiao, Liang; Dimler, Simon J; Baharuddin, Aina N A P; Green, James E; David, John P R
• Is Part Of: Measurement science & technology. Volume 29:Number 6(2018:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2018-05-15
• Subjects: avalanche photodiode -- excess noise -- noise measurement; Physical measurements -- Periodicals; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Equipment and Supplies -- Periodicals; Science -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Technology -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Mesures physiques -- Périodiques; Physical measurements; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; 502.87
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6501/aabc8b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-0233

Abstract

Abstract: A system for measuring, with reduced photocurrent, the excess noise associated with the gain in avalanche photodiodes (APDs), using a transimpedance amplifier front-end and based on phase-sensitive detection is described. The system can reliably measure the excess noise power of devices, even when the un-multiplied photocurrent is low (~10 nA). This is more than one order of magnitude better than previously reported systems and represents a significantly better noise signal to noise ratio. This improvement in performance has been achieved by increasing the value of the feedback resistor and reducing the op-amp bandwidth. The ability to characterise APD performance with such low photocurrents enables the use of low power light sources such as light emitting diode rather than lasers to investigate the APD noise performance.