对于诸如高超音速飞行器的早期探测和预警、以及在日盲紫外波段的应用等非常微弱信号的探测来说, 可以光子计数的单光子探测器特别令人感兴趣。雪崩光电二极管( APD)具有高速度、高灵敏度和光学增益大等优点。AlGaN合金易于通过改变摩尔组分来选择截止波长。对于在日盲波段实现单光子灵敏度而言, AlGaN APD是最有希望的半导体器件技术。通过对近年来的国内外相关文献资料的归纳分析, 介绍了日盲 AlGaN探测器的概念, 比较了高超音速飞行器的红外与日盲紫外辐射特征, 介绍了基于盖革模式与线性模式 APD的日盲紫外单光子探测器的发展动态。

Single photon detectors (SPDs) that can count photons for detecting very faint signals, for example, early detection and warning of hypersonic vehicles, and that operating in the solar blind ultraviolet (UV) region, are of special interest. Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) present the advantages of high-speed, high-sensitivity and large optical gain. The AlGaN alloy makes it feasible to select the cut-off wavelength by changing the mole fractions. AlGaN APD is the most promising semiconductor device technology for achieving single photon sensitivity in solar blind UV region. In this review article, by summarizing and analyzing of related papers published recent years, the concept of solar blind AlGaN detector is described, the radiometric signatures of hypersonic vehicle in infrared and solar blind UV region were compared, and the developments of solar blind UV SPD based on Geiger mode and linear mode APD were introduced.