Detector for determining the wavelength of an optical signal

US5637862A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventor

• Arthur Paolella · Howell, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 1995
• Grant date: Jun 10, 1997
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F30/00

Abstract

An optical detector for determining the wavelength of an optical signal iudes a semiconductor material in the path of the optical signal having a bandgap less than the optical signal. A conductive layer is positioned on the semiconductor material and a plurality of conductive pads are also positioned on the semiconductor material to delineate individual photodetectors. The pads have a common node established by the conductive layer. The optical detector produces a plurality of photocurrents between the pads and the conductive layer in response to the optical signal which photocurrents can be measured and compared to determine the wavelength of the optical signal. A system for determining the wavelength of the optical signal includes a plurality of optical detectors numbered 1 to n positioned sequentially in the path of the optical signal. The detectors produce photocurrents which are converted into digital signals. A microprocessor receives the digital signals and determines a ratio therebetween. A memory accessible by the microprocessor relates the ratio and the nth numbered detector to the wavelength of the optical signal.