ABSTRACT
We present experimental results of reflectance and transmittance measurements of infrared radiation by high-density photogenerated free carriers in polycrystalline germanium, polycrystalline silicon, and chemical vapor deposition zinc selenide windows. Linearly polarized 1064 and 532 nm wavelength light from a Nd:YAG laser with a 130 ps pulse width were used to generate free carriers in the samples. Reflectance and transmittance were measured at a 10.6 microm wavelength using a linearly polarized CO2 laser.
ABSTRACT
We present a new infrared (IR) detection scheme based on the infrared quantum counter (IRQC) detector and utilizing the photon avalanche process. At the time of its discovery, the phenomenon of photon avalanche was considered a limitation rather than an advantage for the development of IRQC. Both the experimental results and the numerical modeling presented demonstrate that the process responsible for photon avalanche can be used to enhance the detection of an IR signal. A new room-temperature IR detection scheme is proposed on the basis of the results of this research. The novel detection scheme presented demonstrates an increase in detectivity and a decrease in the noise-equivalent power when compared with the IRQC schemes previously discussed in the literature.
