BI-spectral optical detector

Abstract

This bi-functional optical detector comprises:

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a bi-functional optical detector for detecting two wavelengths while eliminating background noise.

[0002] The purpose of this invention is to describe the architecture for combining two specific previously demonstrated functions of quantic well detectors, namely the possibility of making bi-spectral devices (French patent No. 2 756 667) and the possibility of making detectors integrating the subtraction function of the continuous component in the active layer, in other words the darkness current due to thermal causes and the optical scene current (French patent No. 2 756 666). Each of these two functions requires a double stack of quantic wells and a 3-stage connection. With the invention, this number of stacks and connection stages can be kept while enabling reading in subtractive mode according to three spectral curves, namely λ1, λ2 and λ1+λ2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Therefore, the invention relates to a bi-functional optical detector comprising:

[0004] a first active photoconduction detection element capable of detecting a first range and a second range of wavelengths, associated with a first diffraction grating that it uses to couple the light from the first range of wavelengths in this first detection element, so that the first active photoconduction detection element can detect light in the first range of wavelengths;

[0005] a second active photoconduction detection element capable of detecting a first range and a second range of wavelengths, associated with a second diffraction grating that it uses to couple the light from the second range of wavelengths in this second detection element, so that the second active photoconduction detection element can detect light in the second range of wavelengths.

[0006] The invention also relates to a process for making this type of detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The various purposes and characteristics of the invention will become clear after reading the description and the attached figures:

[0008] FIG. 1, showing a quantic well structure for detecting two ranges of wavelengths;

[0009] FIG. 2, the spectral curve for the quantic well structure in FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3, an example of the structure of a detector according to the invention;

[0011] FIG. 4, the absorption and the response induced by the gratings in the structure in FIG. 3;

[0012] FIG. 5, a top view of the structure in FIG. 3;

[0013] FIG. 6, a matrix of detectors according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 7, a table of operating modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The proposed architecture is identical to the architecture for a subtraction component like that described in French patent No. 2 756 666, but in this case each of the two active layers is composed of an alternation of two patterns of quantic wells (FIG. 1), drawn for absorption and detection at two wavelengths λ1, and λ2 with two spectral curves Δλ1 and Δλ2. The resulting spectral curve is the sum of the two spectral curves Δλ1 and Δλ2(FIG. 2). The manufacture of this type of quantic well detection structure was described by S. Bandara et al., APL 72, p.2427 (1998).

[0016] The spectral response of a quantic wells detector is the convolution of the spectral absorption of the detector and the spectral efficiency induced by geometric resonance of the diffraction grating used for optical coupling of the incident radiation. Thus, a diffraction grating resonating at about λ1 (or λ2) combined with the previously described quantic structure will induce a response centered around λ1 (or λ2) (FIG. 4).

[0017] The principle of the invention is to separate the main pixel with size a×a into two sub-pixels with size a×a/2, each of these sub-pixels having a conventional subtractive structure, but comprising two different coupling gratings (FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0018] Polarization of the lower stage Vref common to all pixels in the matrix remains common to the two types of sub-pixels. On the other hand, polarization of the upper stage that is also common to all pixels in the matrix needs to be duplicated in this case, since each sub-network of sub-pixels is polarized in a common manner. In this case, connections for the upper stage are achieved by two polarization lines V1 and V2 per pixel instead of a single line for a standard subtractive pixel (FIG. 5).

[0019] In this case, the device may be used in three subtraction modes corresponding to three spectral curves Δλ1, Δλ2 and Δλ1+Δλ2 that are different depending on the voltages applied to each of the upper electrodes (FIG. 6).

[0020] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, an optical detector is made on a transparent substrate through which incident light reaches the detector. This type of optical detector comprises a structure like that shown in FIG. 3 on the substrate. This structure comprises a first purely resistive contact layer 5 on one surface of the substrate, this purely resistive contact layer being transparent. A stack of layers 2 is placed on this purely resistive contact layer, forming a stack of quantic wells capable of detecting two ranges of wavelengths λ1 and λ2. A second transparent purely resistive contact layer 4 is formed on top of this stack of layers. There are two stacks of identical or quasi-identical layers 1, 1′ on the second purely resistive contact layer, each forming an alternating stack of quantic wells capable of detecting wavelength ranges λ1 and λ2, and finally there are diffraction gratings 3 and 3′ with different structures on these stacks of layers, such that these gratings each enable coupling either light at wavelength λ1 or light at wavelength λ2, in the stack of layers (1, 1′ on which it is made). As shown in FIG. 3, the assembly is encapsulated in an insulation layer 6 and connection means pass through this insulation layer to reach the diffraction gratings and to form connection means C1 and C′1 in order to apply voltages +V1 and +V2 respectively to diffraction gratings 3 and 3′. Also, at least one connection means passes through the insulation layer and reaches the second purely resistive contact layer 4 in order to make the common contact Cc for reading the photoconduction signal. And finally, a connection means C2 is formed located on the first purely resistive contact layer 5 in order to apply the voltage −Vref to the entire structure.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a pair of detection elements like that shown in FIG. 3. In the example embodiment in FIG. 3, the stack of layers of quantic wells 2 actually forms two elementary detectors, each detector being associated with a detector element 1 or 1′ in order to eliminate the background noise as explained in French patent No. 2 756 666.

[0022] The stacks of layers of quantic wells 1, 1′, 2 are active or photo conducting at the same ranges of wavelengths λ1 and λ2. The stacks of layers 1 and 1′ are designed to be more absorbent at wavelengths λ1 and λ2 than the stack of layers 2. The stack of layers 2 is preferably designed so that it is almost non-absorbent. This may be achieved by using different thicknesses of stacks of layers or by more concentrated doping of the layers of quantic wells for the most absorbent stacks.

[0023] Since the detector is illuminated by incident radiation on the purely resistive contact layer 5, the stack of layers 2 receives the radiation first.

[0024] Therefore, the radiation passes through the stack of layers 2, and then through the stacks in layers 1 and 1′, and they are coupled through diffraction gratings 3 and 3′, depending on the received wavelength (λ1 and λ2) in the stacks of layers 1 and 1′.

[0025] If the diffraction grating 3 is designed to couple light at wavelength λ1, light at wavelength λ1 will be diffracted towards the stack of layers 1 and will be absorbed or almost absorbed by this stack of layers. Similarly, if the diffraction grating 3′ is designed to diffract light at wavelength λ2, light will be absorbed or almost absorbed by the stack of layers 1′.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a matrix embodiment of a matrix detector according to the invention. This figure shows four optical detectors like those described above, as an example. Therefore, each detector comprises two detector elements each with its diffraction grating. Essentially, this figure shows connection means enabling matrix type control of this matrix of detectors. Therefore, FIG. 6 shows that the connection means C1 are interconnected through their pin P1 to the control potential V1. Similarly, the connection means C′1 are interconnected through their connection pin P′1 at the same control potential V2. The common contact layer to which a pin P2 is connected, is connected to the reference potential Vref. Finally, a connection means Cc is placed in the central part of each detector in order to connect an individual means of measuring the current for each detector.

[0027] FIG. 6 also shows a control circuit CU to output the reference potential Vref and control potentials V1 and V2.

[0028] A detection circuit DET receives information v1.2 from the control circuit CU indicating the control mode output by the CU circuit (potentials V1 and/or V2). It also receives read signals output by each pixel on its common contact means Cc.

[0029] FIG. 7 contains a control table for the detectors thus made. This table thus symbolizes a means of controlling detectors. As can be seen in this FIG. 7, a reference potential Vref is applied to the different detectors in the operating mode. When a potential V1 is applied to a detector and the potential V2 is not applied, this detector detects the wavelength λ1. Conversely, if a potential V2 is applied but a potential V1 is not applied to a detector, this detector detects the wavelength λ2. Finally, if potentials V1 and V2 are both applied to a detector at the same time, the detector detects wavelengths λ1 and λ2.

[0030] The normal operating mode may be considered as being the third mode in order to acquire the maximum signal. Use in modes 1 and 2 alternately is a means of adding a thermometry or passive telemetry function. Finally, if there is any optical aggression preventing measurements in one of the two spectral windows λ1 or λ2, it is found that the system can continue to operate and acquire the signal in the other spectral window.

[0031] We will now describe an example embodiment of a detector according to the invention. In order to simplify the description, we will describe the manufacture of a detector with two detection elements like the detector in FIG. 3, but this process could be applied for the manufacture of a detectors matrix.

[0032] This process includes the following steps:

[0033] A first purely resistive contact layer 5 is made on a transparent substrate (not shown in FIG. 3), transparent to the wavelengths to be detected.

[0034] A stack of quantic wells is made on this second purely resistive contact layer, that is photoconducting within wavelength ranges λ1 and λ2.

[0035] A second purely resistive contact layer is then made transparent to the wavelengths to be detected.

[0036] A second stack of quantic wells that is photoconducting at the wavelengths to be detected is formed on the second purely resistive contact layer.

[0037] Two diffraction gratings with different characteristics are formed on this second stack. For example, these two gratings can be used to diffract light to the second stack of quantic wells, each for different wavelengths λ1 and λ2

[0038] Finally, the geometry of each detector is limited by etching. This is done by etching all layers until the first purely resistive contact layer 5. A chase is also made between two detection elements at the boundary between the two gratings 3 and 3′ in order to separate the stacks in layers 1 and 1′ from the two detection elements.

[0039] An encapsulation insulation layer 6 is deposited on the assembly thus formed.

[0040] Finally, connection means are made. This is done by making the following holes:

[0041] (a) holes passing though the insulation layer as far as diffraction gratings 3 and 3′ that are metallized to form connection means C1 and C′1;

[0042] (b) the common connection hole passing through the insulation layer and the second stack as far as the second purely resistive contact layer to form the common connection means Cc to create the read signal;

[0043] (c) a hole passing through the insulation layer and reaching the first purely resistive contact layer 5 in order to make the connection means C2.

[0044] Note that in the above, diffraction gratings 3 and 3′ may be metallized for application of potentials V1 and V2.

[0045] Thus the process according to the invention is used to make the detector in FIG. 3. Several detectors designed in this way should be etched on the first purely resistive contact layer, in order to create a detectors matrix.

Claims

1. Bi-functional optical detector comprising: a first active photoconduction detection element (1) capable of detecting a first range and a second range of wavelengths (λ1 et λ2), associated with a first diffraction grating (3) that it uses to couple the light from the first range of wavelengths (λ1) in this first detection element, so that the first active photoconducting detection element can detect light in the first range of wavelengths (λ1); a second active photoconduction detection element (1′) capable of detecting a first range and a second range of wavelengths (λ1 et λ2), associated with a second diffraction grating (3′) that it uses to couple the light from the second range of wavelengths (λ2) in this second detection element, so that the second active photoconduction detection element (1′) can detect light in the second range of wavelengths (λ2)

2. Optical detector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first two detector elements are made from the same layer of photoconducting material.

3. Optical detector according to claim 2, characterized in that the first two detector elements are made from stacks of layers forming quantic wells.

4. Optical detector according to claim 2, characterized in that the first two detector elements are made from an alternation of at least two types of quantic wells, each type enabling detection of a determined wavelength λ1 or λ2.

5. Optical detector according to claim 3, characterized in that the first detector element is associated with a third detector element (2) separated by a common contact layer or an insulation layer (4); the fourth detector element is also associated with the second detector element, separated from it by a contact layer or an insulation layer; the four detector elements being photoconducting under the effect of the same wavelength ranges.

6. Optical wave detector according to claim 5, characterized in that the common or insulating contact layers form a single layer (4) and in that the third detecting element and the fourth detection element also form a single detection element.

7. Optical detector according to claim 5, characterized in that the four detecting elements detect the same wavelength ranges.

8. Optical detector according to claim 7, characterized in that the response of each first and second detector is significantly greater than the response in the third and fourth detectors such that they preferably absorb light energy at the wavelength range for which the detector is photoconducting.

9. Optical detector according to claim 8, characterized in that the diffraction gratings are made of a conducting material or are coated by a conducting material and each comprises a first and second contact means (C1, C′1) and in that the optical detector also comprises: a third contact means (Cc) connected to the faces of the different detector elements that are in contact with the common layer (4); a fourth contact layer (C2) in contact with the third and fourth detector elements on their faces opposite the common layer; means of applying control voltages (+V1, +V2, −Vref) to the said first, second and fourth contact means (C1, C′1, C2); means of measuring the current conduction connected to the third contact means (Cc) to measure the photoconduction of the said detector elements.

10. Optical detector according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises control means of applying a reference voltage (−Vref) to the fourth contact means (C2) and: either a first control voltage (+V1) at the first contact means (C1) to control operation of the first and third detector elements; or a second control voltage (+V2) at the second contact means (C′1) to control operation of the second and fourth detector elements; or two voltages (+V1 et +V2) to control operation of all detector elements.

11. Detector according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a matrix of detector elements, the fourth contact means (C2) being common to all detector elements so that the voltage (−Vref) can be applied to all detectors in the matrix, all the first contact means (C1) being connected to each other so that the first control voltage (V1) can be applied on request to all the first detector elements in the matrix, all the second contact means (C′1) being connected to each other so that the second control voltage (+V2) can be applied on request to all the second detector elements in the matrix.

12. Process for making an optical detector according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: formation of a purely resistive contact layer (5) on the face of a transparent substrate; formation of a stack (2) of layers on the said purely resistive contact layer, forming a stack of alternating quantic wells capable of detecting wavelengths (λ1 , λ2); formation of a second purely resistive contact layer (4) on this stack of layers; formation of a stack of layers forming a stack of quantic wells for the detection of wavelengths (λ1, λ2) on the second purely resistive contact layer; formation of at least two diffraction gratings (3 et 3′) with different physical structures on the surface of the second stack of layers; etching in the resulting assembly of layers until the first purely resistive contact layer (5) is reached, of at least two detector elements, one of the detectors comprising a first physical type of diffraction grating and the other detecting element comprising another physical type of diffraction grating; encapsulation of the assembly in an insulation layer (6); etching holes in the insulation layer, passing through the insulation and reaching the diffraction gratings, and metallization of these holes in order to make the first and second contact means (C1 and C′1); formation of at least one hole for each pair of detector elements, the said hole reaching the second purely resistive contact layer (4) and metallization of this hole in order to form the third contact means (Cc); formation of a hole passing through the insulation and reaching the first purely resistive contact layer (5), and metallization of this hole in order to make the fourth contact means (C2).