Low-noise InGaAs balanced p-i-n photoreceiver for space based remote sensing applications at 2 micron wavelength

Abhay Joshi; Don Becker; Shubhashish Datta

doi:10.1117/12.796805

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26 August 2008 Low-noise InGaAs balanced p-i-n photoreceiver for space based remote sensing applications at 2 micron wavelength

Abhay Joshi, Don Becker, Shubhashish Datta

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Proceedings Volume 7095, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments II; 70950F (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.796805
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane, can be remotely monitored through optical spectroscopy at ~2 micron wavelength. Space based LIDAR sensors have become increasingly effective for greenhouse gas detection to study global warming. The functionality of these LIDAR sensors can be enhanced to track global wind patterns and to monitor polar ice caps. Such space based applications require sensors with very low sensitivity in order to detect weak backscattered signals from an altitude of ~1000km. Coherent detection allows shot noise limited operation at such optical power levels. In this context, p-i-n photoreceivers are of specific interest due to their ability to handle large optical power, thereby enabling high coherent gain. Balanced detection further improves the system performance by cancelling common mode noise, such as laser relative intensity noise (RIN). We demonstrate a low-noise InGaAs balanced p-i-n photoreceiver at 2μm wavelength. The photoreceiver is comprised of a matched pair of p-i-n photodiodes having a responsivity of 1.34A/W that is coupled to transimpedance amplifier (TIA) having an RF gain of 24dB (transimpedance = 800Ω) and input equivalent noise of 19pA/√Hz at 300K. The photoreceiver demonstrates a 3dB bandwidth of 200MHz. Such bandwidth is suitable for LIDAR sensors having 20 to 30m resolution. The photoreceiver exhibits a common mode rejection ratio of 30dB and optical power handling of 3dBm per photodiode.

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Abhay Joshi, Don Becker, and Shubhashish Datta "Low-noise InGaAs balanced p-i-n photoreceiver for space based remote sensing applications at 2 micron wavelength", Proc. SPIE 7095, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments II, 70950F (26 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.796805

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