Optical Detectors: Principles and Applications

This lecture introduces the course on optical detectors, aimed at master's students in microengineering and electrical engineering. The instructor outlines the course goals, which include analyzing the basic properties of optical sensors, developing physical models for various photodetectors, and formulating fundamental equations that describe their behavior. Students will learn to optimize photosensitive pixels and design cameras tailored for different optical applications. The course also emphasizes the interpretation of datasheets for commercial optical detectors. Key topics covered include semiconductor physics, diodes, transistors, electronic amplifiers, and micro-fabricated sensors. The instructor shares insights from their research on semiconductor optical amplifiers and UV detectors, highlighting the development of single photon avalanche diodes capable of detecting single photons. The course structure consists of three weeks on basic concepts, followed by a week on optical measurement techniques, and discussions on infrared detection, photomultipliers, and various camera technologies, including CCD and CMOS cameras. Resources include electronic books and a Moodle site for additional support.