Configurable quadrant photodetector : an improved position sensitive device
Esper-Chaín, Roberto (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Instituto Universitario de Microelectrónica Aplicada)
Medina Escuela, Alfonso (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Instituto Universitario de Microelectrónica Aplicada)
Fariña, David (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Ramón Sendra, José (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Instituto Universitario de Microelectrónica Aplicada)

Date:	2016
Abstract:	Position sensitive detectors (PSDs), used in high-end biotechnology, are based on optical sensors built over quadrant photodetectors (QPDs) or active pixel sensor (APS). These devices are intended to measure slight movements of laser spots. The QPD are, by far, the best approach in terms of resolution and noise, but requires complex and expensive x - y micropositioners to perform sensor alignment with the incoming laser spot. The APSs are more versatile devices that can virtually align with the spot by means of device configuration. However, due to its intrisic digital nature, the SNR and the resolutions are degraded in APS. In this paper, a new type of device called configurable QPD and its theory of operation is presented. This new device combines the analog operation of the QPD with the configurability of the APS, by means of combining photodetectors elements with analog switches in a matrix-shaped architecture. Finally, a prototype chip has been fabricated and tested and its measurements results are presented.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2012-34280
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Optical devices and analog circuits ; Optical sensors ; Position measurement ; Position sensitive devices ; Quadrant photodiodes ; Gaussian beam measurement
Published in:	IEEE sensors journal, Vol. 16, issue 1 (Jan. 2016) , p. 109-119, ISSN 1530-437X

DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2015.2475597

Postprint 12 p, 2.6 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles