Photodetector
US9383459B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T1/208
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
According to an embodiment, a photodetector includes a photodetecting element that has a pn junction and outputs a photocurrent corresponding to detected light, a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the photodetecting element, an obtaining unit that obtains the photocurrent detected by the photodetecting element, and a voltage controller. The voltage controller controls the voltage applying unit to apply, during a drive period, a drive voltage whose absolute value is not smaller than an avalanche breakdown voltage of the pn junction and which is in reverse bias with respect to the pn junction; and apply, during a standby period, any of a first standby voltage in forward bias, a second standby voltage with a voltage value of 0 V, and a third standby voltage whose absolute value is greater than 0 V, which is less than the drive voltage, and which is in reverse bias.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.