Chapter 421

Low noise amplifiers for small and large area photodiodes

Glen Brisebois

Abstract

Low noise amplifiers for small and large area photodiodes are discussed.

Keywords

Low noise amplifier

photodiode amplifier

LTC6244

Introduction

Photodiodes can be broken into two categories: large area photodiodes with their attendant high capacitance (30pF to 3000pF) and smaller area photodiodes with relatively low capacitance (10pF or less). For optimal signal-to-noise performance, a transimpedance amplifier consisting of an inverting op amp and a feedback resistor is most commonly used to convert the photodiode current into voltage. In low noise amplifier design, large area photodiode amplifiers require more attention to reducing op amp ...

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