Spectral Detectors Flashcards
Name the two primary types of detectors:
Photon Transducers and Thermal Transducers.
Which type of detector are we primarily interested in?
Photon Transducer
How many types of Photon Transducer detectors are there?
6
Name the six types of Photon Transducers.
Photovoltaic cells, Phototubes, Photomultiplier Tubes, Photoconductivity Transducers, Silicon photodiodes, and Charge-transfer devices.
Describe the photovoltaic cells and their range:
Absorption of radiation generates a current at the interface of the of a semiconductor layer in a metal.
Range: unknown
Describe the phototubes and their range:
Absorption of radiation causes emission of electrons from a photosensitive solid surface.
Range: Red sensitive, ultraviolet sensitive, flat response.
Describe the PMT and their range:
Absorption of radiation causes a cascade of electrons from an initial photoemissive surface.
Range: UV/Vis
Describe the photoconductivity detectors and their range:
Absorption of radiation by a semiconductor produces electrons and holes leading to enhanced conductivity.
Range: IR detector
Describe the silicon photodiode and their range:
Absorption of radiation generates electron-hole pairs and a current a cross a PN junction.
Range: 190 to 1100 nm
Describe the charge-transfer devices and their range:
Absorption of photons results in the collection of charge in a silicon crystal.
Range: UV-Vis and Near IR
Advantages and disadvantages to phototubes:
Simple, cheap, not sensitive
Advantages and disadvantage is to PMTs:
Sensitive, breakable, limited lifetime, low light
Advantages and disadvantage is to photoconductivity transducers (PCTs):
Infrared experiments
Advantages and disadvantage is to silicon photodiodes (PDTs):
Multi channel, cheap, simple, rugged
Advantages and disadvantage is to charge-transfer detectors (CTDs):
Multi channel, sensitive, complex, expensive
