Fundamental sensitivity limit imposed by dark 1/f noise in the low optical signal detection regime.
The impact of dark 1/f noise on fundamental signal sensitivity in direct low optical signal detection is an understudied issue. In this theoretical manuscript, we study the limitations of an idealized detector with a combination of white noise and 1/f noise, operating in detector dark noise limited mode. In contrast to white noise limited detection schemes, for which there is no fundamental minimum signal sensitivity limit, we find that the 1/f noise characteristics, including the noise exponent factor and the relative amplitudes of white and 1/f noise, set a fundamental limit on the minimum signal that such a detector can detect.
Department of Bioengineering, Mail Code 136-93, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. emilymcd@caltech.edu
Emily J
EJ
McDowell
Jian
J
Ren
Changhuei
C
Yang
D000465:Algorithms; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004867:Equipment Design; D008027:Light; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted