Design of an ultraviolet Radiometer. 2. Detector optical characteristics

An ultraviolet radiometer for use in space simulation is developed, and the electrical characteristics, photocurrent linearity, and noise performance of available photodetectors are first examined. Experimental and theoretical evaluations demonstrate the superiority of GaAsP Schottky barrier electrical characteristics over those of diffused-junction and inversion-type silicon photodetectors, resulting in increased dynamic range at room temperature. In the second part, GaAsP devices are shown to have advantages over silicon in UV stability and radiometric performance when used with optical filters. A seven-channel UV radiometer using GaAsP photodiodes in combination with UV stable electric interference filters and glass absorption filters is described.