Abstract
This paper presents a high-gain, noise-efficient readout interface for a FET-based direct THz detector fabricated in 0.15 μm standard CMOS technology. The pixel, conceived to be used in array configuration for an imaging application, consists of an on-chip antenna, a FET device for THz signal detection and a chopper-stabilized readout interface performing in-pixel filtering and amplification. The switched-capacitor multistage design achieves a closed-loop gain of 70 dB and a system bandwidth of 1 kHz, thereby improving the SNR and limiting the total integrated input referred noise of the channel to less than the minimum detectable signal limit defined by the FET detector. The measurement results show that the pixel is able to achieve a maximum voltage responsivity of 470 kV/W and a minimum NEP value of 480 pW/√Hz at the antenna frequency of 370 GHz. The pixel consumes 200 μW power, and it occupies an area of 0.375mm2.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M. Shur., "Terahertz technology: devices and applications," Proceedings of the 31st European Solid-State Circuits Conference, vol.13, no.21, pp. 12–16 Sept. 2005
P. Siegel," Terahertz technology," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol.50, no.3, pp.910–928, Mar 2002
F. Friederich, W. von Spiegel, M. Bauer, F. Meng, M.D. Thomson, S. Boppel, A. Lisauskas, B. Hils, V.Krozer, A.Keil, T.Loffler, R.Henneberger, A.K.Huhn, G.Spickermann, P.H.Bolivar, and H.G. Roskos, “THz Active Imaging Systems With Real-Time Capabilities” IEEE Trans. on Terahertz Science and Technology, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 183–200, Sep. 2011.
H. Sherry, J. Grzyb, Y. Zhao, R. A. Hadi, A. Cathelin, A.Kaiser and U. Pfeiffer, "“A 1k-pixel CMOS camera chip for 25fps real-time terahertz imaging applications," in IEEE Int. Solid-State Circuits Conf., pp. 252–254, 2012.
R. Han, Y. Zhang, Y. Kim, D.Kim, H. Shichija and E. Ashrafi and Kenneth K., "280GHz and 860GHz image sensors using Schottky-barrier diodes in 0.13μm Digital CMOS, “ in IEEE Int. Solid-State Circuits Conf,. pp. 254–256, 2012
Muhammad Ali and Matteo Perenzoni. “Comparison of gate driven and source driven FET structures as THz detectors” Proc. SPIE Photonics Europe, vol. 9141, 2014
F. Schuster , H. Videlier, A. Dupret, D. Coquillat, M. Sakowicz, J. Rostaing, M. Tchagaspanian; B. Giffard and W. Knap, "A broadband THz imager in a low-cost CMOS technology," IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2011, pp. 42–43.
E. Ojefors, U. Pfeiffer, A. Lisauskas and H.Roskos, "A 0.65 THz Focal-Plane Array in a Quarter-Micron CMOS Process Technology," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 44, no. 7, pp. 1968–1976, 2009.
R. Al Hadi, H. Sherry, J. Grzyb, Y. Zhao, W. Forster, H. M. Keller, A. Cathelin, A. Kaiser and U. R. Pfeiffer., "A 1 k-Pixel Video Camera for 0.7–1.1 Terahertz Imaging Applications in 65-nmCMOS," in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 47, no. 12, pp. 2999–3012, Dec. 2012.
A. Boukhayma, J. Rostaing, A. Mollard, F. Guellec, M. Benetti, G. Ducournau, J.Lampin , A. Dupret, C. Enz , M. Tchagaspanian and J. Nicolas "A 533pW NEP 31×31 pixel THz image sensor based on in-pixel demodulation", ESSCIRC, 2014, pp. 303–306 Sept. 2014
Assim Boukhayma, Antoine Dupret, Jean-Pierre Rostaing, and Christian Enz “A Low-Noise CMOS THz Imager Based on Source Modulation and an In-Pixel High-Q Passive Switched-Capacitor N-Path Filter,” Sensors (Basel) 16(3), 325 (2016).
D. Y. Kim, S. Park, R. Han and K K. O, "Design and Demonstration of 820-GHz Array Using Diode-Connected NMOS Transistors in 130-nm CMOS for Active Imaging," in IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 306–317, March 2016.
M. Ali, M. Perenzoni and D. Stoppa, "A high-gain, low-noise switched capacitor readout for FET-based THz detectors," ESSCIRC Conference 2016: 42nd European Solid-State Circuits Conference, Lausanne, 2016, pp. 401–404.
S. Kim, D. W. Park, K. Y. Choi and S. G. Lee, "MOSFET Characteristics for Terahertz Detector Application From On-Wafer Measurement," in IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 1068–1077, Nov. 2015
A. Lisauskas, S. Boppel, J. Matukas, V. Palenskis, L. Minkevius, V. Gintaras, B. Peter Haring, R. Hartmut "Terahertz responsivity and low-frequency noise in biased silicon field-effect transistors." Applied Physics Letters 102.15 (2013): 153505.
S. Domingues, D. Perenzoni, V. Giliberti, A. Di Gaspare, M. Ortolani, M. Perenzoni and D. Stoppa, "Analysis of CMOS 0.13μm test structures for 0.6 to 1.5 THz imaging," 38th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), Mainz, 2013, pp. 1–2.
THz sources. [Online]. Available: http://www.vadiodes.com/en/, accessed August 10, 2018.
J. D. Chisum, E. N. Grossman, and Z. Popovic, “A general approach to low noise readout of terahertz imaging arrays, ” Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 82, no. 6, pp. 065106–065106-8, Jun. 2011
Kolacinski, C., Obrebski, D. & Zagrajek, P. Circuits Syst Signal Process (2018) 37: 984. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00034-017-0593-7
W. Sansen, Analog Design Essentials. New York: Springer, 2006.
M. Ali, M. Perenzoni and D. Stoppa, "A measurement setup for THz detectors characterization validated on FET-based CMOS test structures", IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), pp. 320–324.
M. Ali, M. Perenzoni and D. Stoppa, "A Methodology to Measure Input Power and Effective Area for Characterization of Direct THz Detectors," in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 1225–1231, May 2016.
C.-T. Tai and C. Pereira, "An approximate formula for calculating the directivity of an antenna," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 24, no.2, pp. 235–236, 1976.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ali, M., Perenzoni, M. A Readout Channel Optimized for Minimum NEP of a FET-Based THz Pixel. J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves 39, 1221–1235 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-018-0531-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-018-0531-1