Photon detector is a term in metrology mainly used for the detection of light radiation. Here is a detailed introduction to it:

Working principle: Based on the photoelectric effect. Photon detectors utilize the absorption of infrared radiation by electrons in objects, thereby altering the electrical properties of semiconductor materials. Due to the fact that the response of photon detectors is caused by the direct absorption of infrared photon energy by electrons, this process is more rapid and sensitive than the process caused by object heating. Therefore, the response time of photon detectors is shorter and faster than that of thermal detectors.



Performance characteristics: It has the characteristics of fast response, high sensitivity, and convenient audio signal interface. The sensitivity R is defined as the slope of the photoelectric characteristic curve, which is the ratio of the detector output signal to the incident light power P, also known as the integrated sensitivity. Frequency sensitivity R is defined as the photocurrent generated per unit incident light power at the modulation frequency f. In addition, quantum efficiency (quantum yield) is also an important parameter, which refers to the average number of electrons released per incident photon.

Application areas: Photon detectors are widely used in various fields such as optical communication, bio optics, and environmental monitoring. For example, in the field of infrared spectroscopy analysis, photon detectors have high spectral resolution and detection sensitivity; In medical imaging technology, such as CT PET and other photon detectors can detect and observe internal organs and their functions in the human body; In the field of environmental monitoring, photon detectors can be used for detecting environmental parameters such as atmospheric composition, water composition, and soil quality.

Market situation: The photon detector market is rapidly developing. Taking photon counting X-ray detectors as an example, the global market sales have continued to grow in recent years and are expected to continue to maintain a growth trend in the coming years. From a regional perspective, the Chinese market has undergone rapid changes in the past few years and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.



Overall, photon detectors are a type of light radiation detector based on the photoelectric effect, with characteristics such as fast response and high sensitivity, and have wide applications in multiple fields. With the continuous development of technology, the performance and application fields of photon detectors will continue to expand.