Noise In Photodiode Applications By Art Kay and Bryan Zhao ( 赵 伟 ) June 1, 2011

Contents Noise Review Photodiode Review Photodiode Noise Theory Bandwidth and Stability OPA827 Hand Calculation OPA827 Tina Spice Analysis OPA827 Measurement Example

Noise Review

Intrinsic Noise Error Source Generated by circuit itself (not pickup) Calculate, Simulate, and Measure

Time Domain – White noise normal distribution This slide shows the time domain waveform for broadband noise. The distribution for broadband noise is also shown; note that it is Gaussian.

What is Spectral Density? (Noise per unit frequency)

Convert Spectral Density to RMS Convert RMS to Peak-to-Peak

Why Photodiode Noise? Noise is a key parameter in photodiode design Wide bandwidth (integrate more noise) Low signal levels (noise more critical) Photodiode amplifier noise is more complex Parasitic capacitance and sensor capacitance Poles and zeros Gain peaking

What can we do with the photodiode knowledge? The competition is in trouble! Our new friends from National. TI

Photodiode Review

Photodiode Basics Introduction Photodiode type Photodiodes convert light into current or voltage. Photodiode type PN photodiode – more wavelength selective PIN photodiode – wide spectral range (less selective) APD (Avalanche photodiode) – sensitive to low light, fast

Basic Photodiode Physics Principle of Operation: . - The P-layer material at the active surface and the N material at the substrate form a PN junction which operates as a photoelectric converter. - When light strikes a photodiode, the electron within the crystal structure becomes stimulated. If the light energy is greater than the band gap energy Eg, the electrons are pulled up into the conduction band, leaving holes in their place in the valence band. - These electron-hole pairs occur throughout the P-layer, depletion layer and N-layer materials. In the depletion layer the electric field accelerates these electrons toward the N-layer and the holes toward the P-layer. - This results in a positive charge in the P-layer and a negative charge in the N-layer. If an external circuit is connected between the P- and N-layers, electrons will flow away from the N-layer, and holes will flow away from the P-layer toward the opposite respective electrodes.

Photodiode Basics Figure1.3 Photodiode Equivalent Circuit Figure1.4 Current VS. Voltage Characteristics

Photodiode Basic Figure1.4 Photodiode Equivalent Circuit Use left equivalent circuit, the output current is given as : Figure1.5 Current VS. Voltage Characteristics The open circuit voltage Voc is the output voltage when Io equals 0. Thus Voc becomes:

Photodiode and Control Source TINA model Light exciting source: 1) Use VG1 and VG2 voltage sources to simulate light power wave. 2) Use R1 and C1 shape light signal 3) The Voltage Control Current Source (VCCS1) simulates photodiode sensitivity. Photodiode Equivalent Circuit: 1), Current Source Id simulates Dark current 2), Diode is a ideal diode 3), Cd and Rd simulate photodiode's junction capacitor and dark Resistance. 4), Rs is series resistor, which is far smaller than Rd.

Photodiode Noise Theory

Photo-Diode Amp Noise Model

Photodiode noise The lower limits of light detection for photodiodes are determined by the noise characteristics of the device. The photodiode noise in is the sum of the thermal noise (or Johnson noise) ij of a resistor which approximates the shunt resistance and the shot noise isD and isL resulting from the dark current and the photocurrent. If IL >> 0.026/Rsh or IL >> ID, the shot noise becomes predominant. The lower limit of light detection for a photodiode is usually expressed as the intensity of incident light required to generate a current equal to the noise current . Essentially this is the noise equivalent power (NEP).

Noise Gain Simplify the model to compute Noise Gain Gain seen by the noise voltage source.

Noise Gain

Noise Gain

Noise Gain

Simulating Noise gain and noise bandwidth Break the loop to measure Aol, 1/B, and I to V Gain

Voltage Noise eni , eno and Eno Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Eno4 Eno5 Eno3 Eno1 Eno2

Voltage Noise eni , eno and Eno Region 1 noise: Region 2 noise: Region 3 noise: Region 4 noise: Region 5 noise: Total voltage noise:

Voltage Noise eni , eno and Eno Log scale R.1 R.4 R.2 R.3 R.5 Eno^2 Linear scale eno Linear scale Two left figures obviously present: although 1/f noise density is very large in noise density, but noise gain and bandwidth make region (3,4,5) contribute to output noise (Eno) most. Noise gain effect region is controlled by Ci,Cf,Rf,fc. Compensation design and op amp selection is critical for noise characters.

Resistor Noise and Current Noise Current noise and resistor noise are limited by the transimpedance (I-V gain) bandwidth Poles Kn 1 1.57 2 1.22 3 1.16

Bandwidth and Stability

Parasitic Capacitance Limits the Bandwidth Max bandwidth with Min Cf Low Cf may be unstable Wide BW increases noise As shown Cf=Cs (stray cap) Higher feedback resistor value potentially make parasitic capacitance bypass dominate the photodiode amplifier’s response and set the circuit bandwidth. Good construction parasitic limit Cs around 0.5pF.

Feedback Capacitance Required for Stability Noise Gain is key to stability Also called 1/Beta (in stability analysis) ROC = Rate of Closure ROC = (Aol slope) – (1/Beta slope) Unstable when ROC > 20dB/decade

Feedback Capacitance Required for Stability Applying a Step Input shows instability at output

Choosing a Minimum Cf for Stability

OPA827 Hand Calculation

Noise Model for Simple Transimpedance Amp

Example Photodiode: PDB-C158 Unfortunately Cj is not specified at Vr=0V. We called the manufacturer for this info Cj=70pF for Vr=0V

Calculate Diode Current Noise

OPA827 Noise Hand Calculation (key numbers)

OPA827 Noise Hand Calculation

Poles and Zeros in Noise Gain Curve

1/f (flicker) Noise Corner

Output Noise from OPA Noise Voltage

Thermal (Resistor) Noise at Output

Current Noise to Voltage Noise at Output

The Final Total Noise

Reducing Noise (Higher Cf = Lower BW & Noise)

Flux Capacitor Advantage Disadvantage ADS1118 Reduces noise to zero Available on E-Bay Disadvantage Requires 1.21 gigawatts Size Quarter

OPA827 Tina Spice Analysis

OPA827 – test the model Low Noise : 4nV/√Hz at 1kHz Low Offset Voltage: 150µV max JFET Input: IB= 15pA typ Wide Bandwidth: 22MHz The noise performance is the same as datasheet.

Simulated Spectral Density and Total Noise Output Noise Density Calculated (rms) Simulated 116.7uV 109.1uV Total Output Noise

OPA827 Measurement Example

Validating Test Equipment Capability

Tektronix DPO 4034 Oscilloscope STDEV: 48uV (same as RMS) P-P: 6.6*STDEV=319uV 40s P-P: 320uV Set DC couple, 20MHz bandwidth limit Short input channel to measure noise floor

Agilent 4395A Spectrum Analyzer Frequency Range: 10Hz~500MHz Noise floor: 10nV/rtHz Input Impedance: 50Ω Reference voltage Noise Floor: 10nV/rtHz

The Noise Floors are Not Good Enough

Solution: Use A Post Amp What amp do we Choose?

Use OPA847 as post amplifier Wideband, Ultra-Low Noise, Voltage Feedback, Operational Amplifier At the gain of 150, the bandwidth is 26MHz 0.85nV/Hz Input Voltage Noise 2.5pA/Hz Input Current Noise ±100uV Input Offset Voltage (Typical)) 575uVrms post amplifier noise in 20MHz bandwidth.

Post Amplifier Relatively small error! Gain=150 Vn827 = 109.4uV rms Vnpost = 16.03mV rms Vnpost/Gain = 16.03mV/150 = 106.8uV rms

Test the Noise Floor

Test The Noise Floor – Post Amp Noise Scope Simulated (rms) Measured 575uV 518uV STDEV: 518uV P-P: 6.6*STDEV=3.4mV 40s P-P: 3.88mV

Hardware Connections PDB-C158-ND photodiode 70pF junction capacitance at Vr=0 V 100dB I-V gain 4pF compensation capacitor ±5V power supply.

Shield the Circuit if Possible Power Supply Vcc,Vss,GND Input & Output BNC connectors Shield

Divide by Gain for OPA827 Output Noise

Measured Total Output Noise (DPO 4034 Scope) OPA847 Measured at Scope: STDEV: 21.7mV P-P: 6.6*STDEV=143mV 40s P-P: 170mV At OPA827 (DUT) Output: Divide by gain Vn827 = 21.7mV/150 = 144.6uV Calculated (rms) Simulated Measured 116.7uV 109.1uV 144.6uV

Measured Spectral Density 4395A Spectrum Analyzer Measurement 4395A Linear Scale Agilent 4395A Spectrum Analyzer test 1Hz~20MHz span, 3uV/div, REF=24uV. The tested noise density curve shape is the same as simulation. Tina Spice Linear Scale Tina Spice Log Scale Linear Scale

OPA827-Noise Density 4395A Spectrum Analyzer

Before Questions, I must ask…. Thanks Bryan Zhao ( 赵 伟 ) Matt Hann Collin Wells, Peter Semig, Curtis Mayberry References Jerald Graeme <Photodiode Amplifiers> Art Kay < Op-Amp Noise Calculation and Measurement > HAMAMATSU <Photodiode Technical Information> Tim Green <Operational amp stability> Before Questions, I must ask….

Do I move over to the dark side? You will move to a new topic my young apprentice More noise presentations have we must

Thank you for your Time. Contact Info: Kay_art@ti.com 520 750-2150 (phone) 520 208-1595 (cell)