HgCdTe (MCT) Photoconductive Detector

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PCI-3TE-12-1 × 1-TO8-wZnSeAR-36 from VIGO System is a three-stage thermoelectrically cooled IR photoconductor based on the advanced HgCdTe heterostructure to ensure the best stability and performance.

The device has been improved to deliver optimum performance at 12 µm. In addition, the detector element is monolithically incorporated with hyper hemispherical GaAs microlens to enhance device performance.

Photoconductive detectors must work in optimum bias voltage and current readout mode. Low-frequency performance is decreased, thanks to 1/f noise and unnecessary interference effects are also prevented by the 3° wedged zinc selenide anti-reflection-coated (wZnSeAR) window.

Table 1. Source: VIGO System

Image	Name	Cooling	Immersion	Optimal wavelength λ_opt, µm	Detectivity D*(λ_opt), cm·Hz^1/2/W	Package	Time constant τ, ns	Datasheet
	PCI-3TE-12-1×1-TO8-wZnSeAR-36	Three-stage TE cooled	Yes	12.0	≥9.0x10⁸	TO8	≤5

HgCdTe (MCT) Photoconductive Detectors

Photoconductive detectors rely on the photoconductive effect. Infrared radiation produces charge carriers in the semiconductor active region, thus reducing its resistance. By applying a continuous voltage bias, the resistance change is detected as a current change.

The devices are defined by near-linear current-voltage properties. Within the photoconductors, the electric field is constant across the device.

Table 2. Source: VIGO System

Name	Cooling	Immersion	Optimal wavelength λ_opt, µm	Detectivity D*(λ_opt), cm·Hz^1/2/W	Package	Time constant τ, ns
PC-5	Uncooled	No	5.0	≥1.0x10⁹	BNC, TO39	≤5000
PC-6	Uncooled	No	6.0	≥3.0x10⁸	BNC, TO39	≤500
PC-9	Uncooled	No	9.0	≥2.0x10⁷	BNC, TO39	≤10
PC-10.6	Uncooled	No	10.6	≥9.0x10⁶	BNC, TO39	≤3
PC-2TE-5	Two-stage TE cooled	No	5.0	≥1.0x10¹⁰	TO8, TO66	≤20000
PC-2TE-6	Two-stage TE cooled	No	6.0	≥3.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤4000
PC-2TE-9	Two-stage TE cooled	No	9.0	≥4.5x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤40
PC-2TE-10.6	Two-stage TE cooled	No	10.6	≥1.4x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤10
PC-2TE-12	Two-stage TE cooled	No	12.0	≥4.5x10⁷	TO8, TO66	≤3
PC-2TE-13	Two-stage TE cooled	No	13.0	≥2.3x10⁷	TO8, TO66	≤2
PC-3TE-9	Three-stage TE cooled	No	9.0	≥1.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤60
PC-3TE-10.6	Three-stage TE cooled	No	10.6	≥2.5x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤20
PC-3TE-12	Three-stage TE cooled	No	12.0	≥9.0x10⁷	TO8, TO66	≤5
PC-3TE-13	Three-stage TE cooled	No	13.0	≥6.0x10⁷	TO8, TO66	≤4
PC-4TE-9	Four-stage TE cooled	No	9.0	≥2.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤80
PC-4TE-10.6	Four-stage TE cooled	No	10.6	≥3.5x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤30
PC-4TE-12	Four-stage TE cooled	No	12.0	≥2.0x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤7
PC-4TE-13	Four-stage TE cooled	No	13.0	≥1.0x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤6
PC-4TE-14	Four-stage TE cooled	No	14.0	≥6.0x10⁷	TO8, TO66	≤5
PCI-5	Uncooled	Yes	5.0	≥4.0x10⁹	BNC, TO39	≤5000
PCI-6	Uncooled	Yes	6.0	≥1.0x10⁹	BNC, TO39	≤500
PCI-9	Uncooled	Yes	9.0	≥1.0x10⁸	BNC, TO39	≤10
PCI-10.6	Uncooled	Yes	10.6	≥8.0x10⁷	BNC, TO39	≤3
PCI-2TE-5	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	5.0	≥2.0x10¹⁰	TO8, TO66	≤20000
PCI-2TE-6	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	6.0	≥1.0x10¹⁰	TO8, TO66	≤4000
PCI-2TE-9	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	9.0	≥4.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤40
PCI-2TE-10.6	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	10.6	≥1.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤10
PCI-2TE-12	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	12.0	≥4.5x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤3
PCI-2TE-13	Two-stage TE cooled	Yes	13.0	≥2.3x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤2
PCI-3TE-9	Three-stage TE cooled	Yes	9.0	≥6.2x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤60
PCI-3TE-10.6	Three-stage TE cooled	Yes	10.6	≥2.5x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤20
PCI-3TE-12	Three-stage TE cooled	Yes	12.0	≥9.0x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤5
PCI-3TE-13	Three-stage TE cooled	Yes	13.0	≥4.5x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤4
PCI-4TE-9	Four-stage TE cooled	Yes	9.0	≥1.0x10¹⁰	TO8, TO66	≤80
PCI-4TE-10.6	Four-stage TE cooled	Yes	10.6	≥3.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤30
PCI-4TE-12	Four-stage TE cooled	Yes	12.0	≥2.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤7
PCI-4TE-13	Four-stage TE cooled	Yes	13.0	≥1.0x10⁹	TO8, TO66	≤6
PCI-4TE-14	Four-stage TE cooled	Yes	14.0	≥3.0x10⁸	TO8, TO66	≤5