Choosing an integrated silicon optical sensor

摘要

Optical sensors, also referred to as photodetectors, are available in a variety of different substrates: germanium, indium gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, and silicon. All have varying spectral and temporal responses and applications, but the nonsilicon based sensors have more narrowly defined application spaces, whereas silicon-based sensors suit applications from medical to in-dustrial/commercial to consumer. Not only do they span a much broader scope than other photo detectors, but silicon opto sensors also lend themselves well to integration with other circuitry, which often makes them generally a more cost-effective solution. This is partly the reason why they have such a high adoption rate.