Infrared heterodyne detection

Heterodyne experiments have been performed in the middle infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum using the CO 2 laser as a radiation source. Theoretically optimum operation has been achieved at kHz heterodyne frequencies using photoconductive Ge:Cu detectors operated at 4°K, and at kHz and MHz frequencies using Pb 1-x Sn x Se photovoltaic detectors at 77°K. In accordance with the theory, the minimum detectable power observed is a factor of 2/η greater than the theoretically perfect quantum counter, hvΔf. The coefficient 2/η varies from 5 to 25 for the detectors investigated in this study. A comparison is made between photoconductive and photodiode detectors for heterodyne use in the infrared, and it is concluded that both are useful. Heterodyne detection at 10.6 µm is expected to be useful for communications applications, infrared radar, and heterodyne spectroscopy. It has particular significance because of the high radiation power available from the CO 2 laser, and because of the 8 to 14 µm atmospheric window.

[1]  O. Svelto,et al.  Solid-state photodetection: A comparison between photodiodes and photoconductors , 1964 .

[2]  J. T. LaTourrette,et al.  Coherent Detection of Light Scattered from a Diffusely Reflecting Surface , 1964 .

[3]  A maximum-signal theorem for the spatially coherent detection of scattered radiation , 1967 .

[4]  L. Mandel.  Heterodyne Detection of a Weak Light Beam , 1966 .

[5]  C. Buczek,et al.  HETERODYNE PERFORMANCE OF MERCURY DOPED GERMANIUM , 1967 .

[6]  R. L. Petritz,et al.  Detectivity and Preamplifier Considerations for Indium Antimonide Photovoltaic Detectors , 1959, Proceedings of the IRE.

[7]  P. Fang.  ANNEALING OF RADIATION-INDUCED DEFECTS IN SILICON , 1966 .

[8]  R. Jones.  Noise in Radiation Detectors , 1959, Proceedings of the IRE.

[9]  Y. M. Liu,et al.  Temperature dependence of radiation damage in silicon , 1966 .

[10]  Y. Yeh,et al.  Localized fluid flow measurements with an He-Ne laser spectrometer , 1964 .

[11]  M. Lasser.  Detection of coherent optical radiation , 1966, IEEE Spectrum.

[12]  C. Vérié,et al.  CdxHg1−xTe INFRARED PHOTOVOLTAIC DETECTORS , 1967 .

[13]  R. Pantell,et al.  Photoconductive Mixing in CdSe Single Crystals , 1963 .

[14]  D. Fried.  Atmospheric modulation noise in an optical heterodyne receiver , 1967 .

[15]  R. Pantell,et al.  OPTICAL FREQUENCY MIXING IN BULK SEMICONDUCTORS , 1962 .

[16]  A. Siegman,et al.  Photomixing Experiments with a Ruby Optical Maser and a Traveling-Wave Microwave Phototube , 1962 .

[17]  D. L. Fried,et al.  Optical heterodyne detection of an atmospherically distorted signal wave front , 1967 .

[18]  Anthony E. Siegman,et al.  The antenna properties of optical heterodyne receivers , 1966 .

[19]  B. R. Gossick,et al.  DISORDERED REGIONS IN SEMICONDUCTORS BOMBARDED BY FAST NEUTRONS , 1959 .

[20]  F. Arams,et al.  5.2 - Infrared 10.6-micron heterodyne detection with gigahertz IF capability , 1967 .

[21]  J. G. Hoffman,et al.  Fluctuation phenomena in semi-conductors , 1960 .

[22]  J. J. Loferski,et al.  LITHIUM-DOPED, RADIATION-RESISTANT SILICON SOLAR CELLS , 1966 .

[23]  V. Corcoran.  Directional Characteristics in Optical Heterodyne Detection Processes. II , 1965 .

[24]  A. Calawa,et al.  PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT IN PbxSn1−xTe DIODES , 1966 .

[25]  R. D. Kroeger.  Motion sensing by optical heterodyne Doppler detection from diffuse surfaces , 1965 .

[26]  J. Foremen,et al.  8C2 - Fluid flow measurements with a laser Doppler velocimeter , 1966 .

[27]  A. Theodore Forrester,et al.  Photoelectric Mixing As a Spectroscopic Tool , 1961 .

[28]  Y. Yeh,et al.  Observation of Diffusion Broadening of Rayleigh Scattered Light , 1964 .

[29]  K. M. van Vliet,et al.  Noise Limitations in Solid State Photodetectors , 1967 .

[30]  A. J. Strauss,et al.  Inversion of Conduction and Valence Bands inPb1−xSnxSeAlloys , 1967 .

[31]  P. Coleman,et al.  Mixing and detection of coherent light in a bulk photoconductor , 1964 .

[32]  Emil Wolf,et al.  Principles of Optics: Contents , 1999 .

[33]  C. L. Ruthroff.  Some Broad-Band Transformers , 1959, Proceedings of the IRE.

[34]  J. Dimmock,et al.  Band Structure and Laser Action in Pb x Sn 1-x Te , 1966 .

[35]  G. Lucovsky,et al.  Coherent light detection in solid-state photodiodes , 1963 .

[36]  Malvin C. Teich,et al.  OPTIMUM HETERODYNE DETECTION AT 10.6 μm IN PHOTOCONDUCTIVE Ge:Cu , 1966 .

[37]  W. M. Doyle,et al.  5.1 - Use of an oscillating laser as a heterodyne receiver preamplifier , 1967 .