Fundamental sensitivity limit imposed by dark 1/f noise in the low optical signal detection regime Emily J. McDowell1, Jian Ren2, and Changhuei Yang1,2 1Department of Bioengineering, 2Department of Electrical Engineering, Mail Code 136-93,California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125
[email protected] Abstract: The impact of dark 1/f noise on fundamental signal sensitivity in direct low optical signal detection is an understudied issue. In this theoretical manuscript, we study the limitations of an idealized detector with a combination of white noise and 1/f noise, operating in detector dark noise limited mode. In contrast to white noise limited detection schemes, for which there is no fundamental minimum signal sensitivity limit, we find that the 1/f noise characteristics, including the noise exponent factor and the relative amplitudes of white and 1/f noise, set a fundamental limit on the minimum signal that such a detector can detect. © 2008 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: (230.5160) Photodetectors; (040.3780) Low light level References and links 1. S. O. Flyckt and C. Marmonier, Photomultiplier tubes: Principles and applications (Photonis, 2002). 2. M. C. Teich, K. Matsuo, and B. E. A. Saleh, "Excess noise factors for conventional and superlattice avalanche photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes," IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 22, 1184-1193 (1986). 3. E. J. McDowell, X. Cui, Y. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "A generalized noise variance analysis model and its application to the characterization of 1/f noise," Opt. Express 15, (2007). 4. P. Dutta and P. M. Horn, "Low-frequency fluctuations in solids - 1/f noise," Rev.