Chopped radiation measurements with large area Si photodiodes

Frequency dependent response characteristics of photocurrent meters using large area, radiometric quality Si photodiodes have been analyzed. The current responsivity, the voltage noise and drift amplification, and the gain and bandwidth of the photocurrent-measuring analog control loop were calculated. The photodiodes were selected for high shunt resistance. The effect of the photodiode junction capacitance on the response characteristics was also analyzed. As a result of photocurrent gain dependent frequency compensations, the noise boosting effect was minimized at the output of the current meter. The loop gain and bandwidth were maximized. High-accuracy photocurrent measurements can be achieved using the described procedures for both de and modulated optical radiation.