Optical detectors

(3h lectures including exercises, 3 ECTS) 

This course explains:

• The principles of optical detectors,
• their design and fabrication, as well as
  
• their characteristics and main applications.

Exercises are included in the lecture sessions.

Support:

• You can download and print yourself the script (slides and the associated comments) in pdf format.
• Solutions of the exercises will be deposited every week on this Moodle site.
• To help the exam preparation, "Take-home messages" (formerly "Matter that matters"), i.e. a series of key questions, will be available as well.

Keywords

Photodetectors, photodiodes, CCD, CMOS and SPAD cameras, single-photon detection, metrology, applications.

Learning Prerequisites - Recommended courses

Bachelor in microengineering or in electrical and electronic engineering.

(EPFL) Courses: "Physique générale : électromagnétisme", "Physique des composants semiconducteurs", "Electronique I et II", et "Capteurs".

Important concepts to start the course

Semiconductor physics, diodes and transistors, electronic amplifiers, optical lenses, micro-fabricated sensors.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze the basics characteristics and the principles used in optical sensors
• Develop the physical models for different photodetectors
• Optimize the photosensitive pixel
• Design cameras adapted to different optical applications
• Interpret the datasheets of commercial optical sensors
• Solve rapidly and efficiently problems related to optical detectors

Transversal skills

• Summarize an article or a technical report
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra courses and exercises

Course will be taught in English, the scripts will contain explanations in English and French

Expected student activities

• Regular attendance to lectures
• Resolution of exercises as homework prior to the session
• Answer to "Take-home messages" questions

Supervision

Resources - Bibliography

Electronic books accessible by VPN:

• Saleh, Teich, "Fundamentals of photonics", Wiley Interscience, Chapitre 17.

• Seitz, Theuwissen: "Single-Photon Imaging", Springer Series in Optical Sciences, 2011.

• S. Sze, Kwok K. Ng, "Physics of Semiconductor Devices", Wiley Interscience, 2007.

Ressources en bibliothèque

• S. Sze, Kwok K. Ng, "Physics of Semiconductor Devices"
• Seitz, Theuwissen: "Single-Photon Imaging"
• Saleh, Teich, "Fundamentals of photonics"

• Saleh, Teich: "Fundamentals of photonics", Wiley Interscience, Chapitre 17.
  (e-book on general optics with chapter 17 on photodetectors).
• S.M. Sze, Kwok K. Ng, « Physics of semiconductor devices » Wiley.
  (e-book on basics of semiconductor devices, like diodes and transistors).

Other books

• A. Theuwissen: "Solid-state imaging with charge-coupled devices", Kluwer academic Publishers, 2002.
  (book on CCD, unfortunately not available as e-book)
• Seitz, Theuwissen: "Single photon imaging", Springer series in optical sciences, 2011.
  (book on the detection of small otpical signals and photon counting).
• Ohta: "CMOS image sensors and application", CRC Press, 2007. (e-book on CMOS camera)

a) Basics

• G. C. Holst, T. S. Lomheim: "CMOS/CCD sensors and camera systems", SPIE Press, 2011
• S. Donati, "Photodetectors: devices, circuits and applications",. Prentice Hall PTR,
• J. Wilson, J.F.B. Hawkes, "Optoelectronics: an introduction", Prentice Hall
• E.L. Dereniak, D.G. Crowe, "Optical radiation Detectors", Wiley

b) book for the chapters 1,2:

• R.W. Boyd, "Radiometry and the detection of optical radiation", Wiley Interscience

c) Basis of CMOS receivers:

• E. Saeckinger, "Broadband circuits for optical fiber communication", Wiley.
• M. Ingels, M. Steyaert « Integrated CMOS circuits for optical communications » Springer.

d) Basics of semicoductor devices:

• P.A. Besse "Composants semiconducteurs", script EPFL in French, Bachelor 3ème year. Please ask for the password for the Moodle web site.
  
• S.M. Sze, "Semiconductor devices: Physics and technology", Wiley (This book contains as well the physics as the fabrication of semiconductor devices, unfortunately not available as e-book)
  

e) WEB:

• site "Digital imaging" . (Optical Microscopy Primer)
  
• site "Education in microscopy and digital imaging" . (Zeiss)