Responsivities of W-Ni point contact diode detectors at 10.6 microns

RF, microwave and CO2 laser beam signal sources are used to investigate the frequency characteristics of a W-Ni point-contact diode (IR laser detector), the relation between the diode resistance and the detector voltage, and the dependence of rectified voltage on the load resistance. The equivalent circuit of the W-Ni point-contact IR laser detector is analyzed on the basis of the results obtained. The modified equivalent circuit to accommodate the frequency dependence on the rectified voltage has two series-connected RC circuits.