Photovoltaic detector has fast response and integral pre-amplifier
An InAsSb (indium arsenide antimonide) photovoltaic detector, the P16702-011MN, by Hamamatsu has a built-in pre-amplifier to offer high sensitivity to mid-infrared light, up to 11 micrometers in wavelength. The combination of an InAsSb mid-infrared detector with Hamamatsu’s circuit design technology results in a smaller and less expensive detector modules than the company’s previous generation yet with same level of sensitivity.
The P16702-011MN is a compound semiconductor photodetector with built-in pre-amplifier for electrical signal amplification. Each molecule has its own vibration and absorbs infrared light at a specific wavelength determined by its energy. This property can be used to analyse and identify the type and quantity of chemical components contained in a sample. Therefore, mid-infrared light is widely used in the analysis of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides contained in exhaust gases.
The design is in response to market demand for a sub-miniature, low cost, mid-infra-red detector device that also offers high speed response, said Hamamatsu.
The back-illuminated type InAsSb mid-infra-red detector has a sensitivity 1.5 times higher than the regular type. It is encapsulated it into a small cylindrical package with a diameter of approximately 9.0mm. The device was reduced to about 1/200th the volume of Hamamatsu’s module products and the wiring in the package is optimised to increase the response speed up to 100MHz, which is twice as high as the company’s module products, thus improving measurement accuracy. The manufacturing cost is reduced because fewer components are required, said Hamamatsu.
The P16702-011MN will speed up the replacement of mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) infrared detectors which is currently the mainstream in high-precision mid-infrared spectroscopy but contains toxic substances restricted by the RoHS Directive.
Hamamatsu Photonics manufactures both photodetectors and light sources. Using the P16702-011MN in conjunction with a quantum cascade laser or QCL, also manufactured by Hamamatsu, accelerates measurement taking with higher resolution and sensitivity, said the company.
The P16702-011MN will be exhibited at the SPIE Photonics West 2023 international conference on photonics and related technologies, in San Francisco, California, USA from Tuesday, January 31 to Thursday, February 2, 2023.
The P16702-011MN is suitable for portable gas analysers which are able to immediately analyse exhaust gas components at measurement sites around factories. It will be available from 1 February to domestic and overseas manufacturers of environmental measurement and analysis equipment.
