Basic Concepts

I. Basic Information on Light Detectors

A. Role of an optical detector

B. Types of optical detectors

C. Detector characteristics

D. Noise considerations

II. Types of Detectors

A. Photon detectors

B. Thermal detectors

III. Calibration

A. Response of detector

B. Techniques to limit beam power

C. Electrical calibration

IV. Circuitry for Optical Detectors

A. Basic circuit for a photovoltaic detector

B. Basic circuit for a photoconductive detector

V. Human Vision

A. The eye as an optical detector

B. Structure of the eye

C. Operation of the eye

D. Color

E. Defects of vision