Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Photodetectors, their performance and their limitations

  • Invited Paper
  • Published:
Applied physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

See More

With the human eye as a reference, a short survey of man-made photodetectors is given. The smallest number of detectable photons and the “detectivity” of present-day detectors, both as a function of the wavelength, are discussed in more detail. Finally, some special comments on the performance of photoconductive detectors are made since they are at present the most sensitive detectors for middle and far infrared radiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  1. A.Ambroziak:Semiconductor Photoelectric Devices (Iliffe Books Ltd., London 1968)

    Google Scholar 

  2. I.B.Dance:Photoelectronic Devices (Iliffe Books Ltd., London 1969)

    Google Scholar 

  3. A.Frova (ed.):Semiconductor Light Emittors and Detectors (special issue). J. Luminescence7 (1973)

  4. P.Goerlich:Photoeffekte (3 Vols.) (Akad. Verl. Ges., Lepzig 1962, 1963, 1966)

    Google Scholar 

  5. H.Greif:Lichtelektrische Empfänger (Akad. Verl. Ges., Leipzig 1972)

    Google Scholar 

  6. V.Manno, J.Ring (eds.):Infrared Detection Techniques for Space Research (D. Reidel Publ, Dordrecht 1972)

    Google Scholar 

  7. L.C.Robinson: Physical principles of far-infrared radiation. InMethods of Experimental Physics, Vol. 10 (Academic Press, New York 1973)

    Google Scholar 

  8. A.Rose:Concepts in Photoconductivity and Allied Problems (Interscience Publ., New York 1963)

    Google Scholar 

  9. A.Rose:Vision, Human and Electronic (Plenum Press, New York 1973)

    Google Scholar 

  10. D.H.Seib, L.W.Aukermann: Photodetectors for the 0.1 to 1.0 μm spectral region. Advan. Electr. Electron Phys.34, 95 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  11. F.Stöckmann: Photoconductivity—a centennial. Phys. Stat. Sol. (a)15, 381 (1973)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. R.K.Willardson, A.C.Beer (eds.): Infrared detectors.Semiconductors and Semimetals, Vol. 5 (Academic Press, New York 1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für angewandte Physik, Universität Karlsruhe, D-7500, Karlsruhe, Germany

    F. Stöckmann

Authors
  1. F. Stöckmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stöckmann, F. Photodetectors, their performance and their limitations. Appl. Phys. 7, 1–5 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00900511

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00900511

Index Headings