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Photodetector Calculator

Photodetector & Optical Sensor Calculator

Compute responsivity, NEP, specific detectivity D*, SNR, shot noise, and thermal noise in real time. Visualize noise contributions and SNR vs optical power curves.

Parameters
Presets
Optical / Electrical Parameters
Quantum efficiency η0.90
Wavelength λ1550 nm
Active area A0.50 mm²
Bandwidth B1.0 GHz
Dark current I_d1.0 nA
Load resistance R_L50 Ω
Temperature T300 K
Incident power P1.0 μW
Responsivity [A/W]
Photocurrent [μA]
NEP [pW/√Hz]
D* [10¹⁰ cm√Hz/W]
SNR [dB]
Min. Det. Signal [pW]
Noise Component Comparison
Optical Power vs SNR

Key Formulas

Responsivity:

$$R = \frac{\eta e}{h\nu} = \frac{\eta e \lambda}{hc} \quad \text{[A/W]}$$

Shot noise:

$$i^2_{shot} = 2e(I_{photo} + I_d)\cdot B$$

Johnson (thermal) noise:

$$i^2_{thermal} = \frac{4k_B T B}{R_L}$$

SNR:

$$\mathrm{SNR} = \frac{(R\cdot P)^2}{i^2_{shot}+i^2_{thermal}}$$

Specific detectivity:

$$D^* = \frac{\sqrt{A \cdot B}}{\mathrm{NEP}} \quad \text{[cm}\cdot\sqrt{\text{Hz}}\text{/W]}$$
Engineering Note: First identify whether shot noise or Johnson noise dominates. High-impedance (transimpedance amplifier) design reduces thermal noise. Cooling suppresses dark-current shot noise, approaching the quantum-limited SNR. For LiDAR, APD excess noise factor F must also be included.