An Overview of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Based VUV Detectors in Space Applications

Ultraviolet light detection is of interest in astronomy and meteorology because of the useful information it provides. CCD's based on UV detectors do not require any longer wavelength filters.In this case, UV light can be directly detected and therefore the effective sensitivity of CCD can be effectively increased. The high radiation tolerance is a very critical factor (especially for the detectors used in outer space) in addition to other basic detector parameters, such as quantum efficiency, dark current, and optical current, Radiative environment, by changing the properties of the materials and devices that create the photodetector, can gradually deteriorate its performance and therefore causes malfunction and limitation in the application of photodetectors. In this article, we initially deal with different types of UV detectors and their general characteristics, then the AlN based photodiode and the effect of radiation on its parameters is introduced and discussed. Eventually,a  few types of VUV photo-detectors, used in space applications, will be reviewed.