Matrix of Photosensitive Elements for Determining the Coordinates of the Source of Optical Radiation

This paper presents new position-sensitive matrices of photosensitive elements. The photosensitive elements of the proposed matrix can be manufactured, depending on the required spectral range, based on Si, A3B5 solid solutions, etc. Depending on the required technical characteristics, PN photodiodes, PIN photodiodes, or avalanche photodetectors can be used as photosensitive elements. The main advantage of the proposed optical coordinator is a special topology of connection of sensitive elements. The interlaced connection of rows and columns allows to significantly reduce the number of information outputs, expand the dynamic range, and achieve greater manufacturability of the device without significant loss of the signal component. The periodicity of the topology makes it possible to find the position of a light spot, determine its center, and accurately track the movement of the spot along the coordinator without the use of micromechanical centering devices. The “checkerboard” topology of the sensitive elements and method of generating output signals are discussed. Such an arrangement makes it possible to simultaneously determine two coordinates at the same time. Methods for determining the center of a light spot are presented as well. The overlap of the area of the sensitive element by the light spot is proportional to the output current signal. Therefore, it is possible to determine the center of the light spot by solving a two-dimensional geometric problem. The distribution of errors in determining the center was calculated using the method of finding the barycenter in dynamic and statistical modes for different light spot configurations. Direction-finding characteristics were analyzed. A topology of connection that allows to expand the dynamic range of the measurement was submitted.