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Temperature Control of Avalanche Photodiode Using Thermoelectric CoolerAvalanche photodiodes (APDS) are quantum optical detectors that are used for visible and near infrared optical detection applications. Although APDs are compact, rugged, and have an internal gain mechanism that is suitable for low light intensity; their responsivity, and therefore their output, is strongly dependent on the device temperature. Thermoelectric coolers (TEC) offers a suitable solution to this problem. A TEC is a solid state cooling device, which can be controlled by changing its current. TECs are compact and rugged, and they can precisely control the temperature to within 0.1 C with more than a 150 C temperature gradient between its surfaces. In this Memorandum, a proportional integral (PI) temperature controller for APDs using a TEC is discussed. The controller is compact and can successfully cool the APD to almost 0 C in an ambient temperature environment of up to 27 C.
Document ID
19990110590
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Refaat, Tamer F.
(Old Dominion Univ. Norfolk, VA United States)
Luck, William S., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
DeYoung, Russell J.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1999
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.15:209689
L-17906
NASA/TM-1999-209689
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 622-63-13-70
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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