PbSe Infrared Detectors: It's Easier To Make A Detector Noise Limited System Than You Think

By Larry Johnson and Susan Wells, Laser Components

It is possible to achieve optimal PbSe IR detector operation by choosing the optimal bias voltage, the ideal optical chopping frequency, or a combination of the two. This is possible because these specific values are both instrument and application dependent. The key to making an instrument detector noise limited instead of circuit noise limited is in understanding the relationships between signal-to-noise ratio and bias voltage, and between optical frequency chopping and detector noise levels. Download the full paper for more in-depth information on how to safely find the ‘sweet spot’ for operating a detector noise limited system.