NUMERICAL OPTIMIZATION OF BOLOMETRIC INFRARED DETECTORS INCLUDING OPTICAL LOADING, AMPLIFIER NOISE, AND ELECTRICAL NONLINEARITIES

We present numerical methods for the optimization of bolometric infrar ed detectors which use current-biased semiconducting thermistors. We e xtend the analysis of Griffin and Holland to explicitly include both t he electric field dependence of the thermistor resistance and amplifie r noise. These methods allow the user to design and evaluate an optimi zed bolometer once such parameters as the optical loading, the heat si nk temperature, and the materials for the thermal link and the thermis tor have been chosen. Measured parameters which describe the electrica l nonlinearities in neutron transmutation doped germanium are presente d. The consequences for bolometer optimization of including these effe cts are illustrated. This program will be made available at the web si te http://physics7.berkeley.edulbolometer.html.