Spectral Matching Properties between Avalanche Photodiodes and Typical Objects

Avalanche photodiode detector has come to more and more attention due to single photon detection sensitivity, low noise in night vision field. However, avalanche photodiodes (APD) made of different materials have different photon detection efficiency characteristics. The spectral matching factors were computed and analyzed based on the spectrums of night sky, Si APD & InGaAs APD and typical object under different circumstances. The difference of matching results is significant in full moonlight and clear starlight. These data can be available to adopt appropriate APD as photoelectric conversion devices in night vision system.

I. Introduction

Night vision technology can not only expand the detection ability of human eyes in weak light environment, but also exploit the eyes' distinguish capability for invisible radiation. However, some important parameters which represent the performances of the present night vision system are still limited because of the limitation of detection sensitivity and noise especially. For example, we need high quantum efficiency, high precise and low noise when the objects are observed on very low light level (maybe ). Such applications can't be realized very well to satisfy practical requirements.