1. Noise
Ryan Parziale

2. What is noise? Electrical Fluctuation
[2]
Electrical Fluctuation
Electric Noise: Statistical fluctuations inherent to the operation of the device [1]
Modulation Noise: Fluctuations in quantities that control the average characteristics of a device [1]
[3]
[4]

3. Why’s it important? Part of random error
Sets a lower limit to detections [1]
Electrical circuits: μV range
Galvanometer: 1 pA range
(If you wanna go lower than this use counting technique)

4. Thermal/Johnson Noise
Caused by the random collision of charge carriers under thermal equilibrium [1][5]
John B. Johnson and Harry Nyquist 1928
Amplitude distribution can be modeled as a Gaussian [5]
Resistors: electrons randomly move without applying a voltage to the circuit
White noise
[1]

5. Shot Noise
Caused by the random emission of electrons/passage of charge carriers across a potential barrier [5]
Poisson distribution [1]
Schottky Vacuum Tube
White noise
[6]

6. Burst/Popcorn Noise
Caused by metallic impurities in semiconductors: random trapping and releasing of charge carriers [5]
Bipolar transistors
Sudden, step-like
Sounds like popcorn popping yummy yum yum
White Noise
[3]
[7]

7. Partition Noise
Caused when charge carriers in a current can choose between multiple paths [5]
BJT
[8]

8. Generation-Recombination Noise
Caused by the random generator, recombination, and trapping rates of carrier charges [5]
[9]

9. White Noise, Pink Noise, and Red Noise
[10, 11, 12]

10. Measuring Noise
RC Circuit: Due to thermal noise from the resistor, the capacitor will be randomly charged/discharged
[13]

11. Filtering Out Noise
Low pass filter: DC voltage Bandpass Filter: AC voltage
[15]

12. Well, buddy, do I have the solution for you!
Counting Methods
So you still want to measure small signals?
Want to measure things many orders of magnitude better than instruments like a galvanometer can do?
Well, buddy, do I have the solution for you!

13. Current Counting Techniques
Measure free electrons moving in a vacuum
Electron multiplication with secondary emission multipliers [13]
[13]

14. Current Counting Method Difficulties
The first dynode doesn’t multiply an electron when it’s struck [10]
More significant for small multiplications
The dynode emits electrons through thermal emission [10]
Fixed by cooling the dynodes.

15. Photon Counting Techniques
Photomultiplier
[16]

16. Questions?

17. Bibliography
Van Vliet, K. M. Noise in Electronic Devices. Pages Print
O'Haver, Tom. “Signals and Noise.” Intro. to Signal Processing:Signals and Noise, 17 June 2008, terpconnect.umd.edu/~toh/spectrum/SignalsAndNoise.html.
Maxim Integrated. “Managing Noise in the Signal Chain, Part 1: Annoying Semiconductor Noise, Preventable or Inescapable?” Managing Noise in the Signal Chain, Part 1: Annoying Semiconductor Noise, Preventable or Inescapable? - Tutorial - Maxim, Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., 7 Aug. 2014,
Leach, Marshal W. Noise Measurement. CRC Press LLC, Pages 2-9. Print
Sharp, Sydney. “The world of 2d electrons is exciting: enabling ‘ballistic high mobility transport’ modulation doping enabling ‘ballistic high mobility transport’ modulation.” 2016, presentation.
Das, Loknath. “Amazing Benefits Of Popcorn That You Didn't Know About.” Pad Verts, Pad Verts, 16 Jan. 2018, padverts.com/amazing-benefits-popcorn-didnt-know/.
Abramowitz, Mortimer, and Michael W. Davidson. “Concepts in Digital Imaging Technology: Photomultiplier Tubes.” Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Digital Imaging in Optical Microscopy - Concepts in Digital Imaging - Photomultiplier Tubes, The Florida State University, 12 Feb. 2016, micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/digitalimaging/concepts/photomultipliers.html.
“Bipolar Junction Transistor.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_junction_transistor.

18. 10. “White Noise. ” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Feb. 2018, en
10. “White Noise.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise.
11. “Pink Noise.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_noise.
12. “Brownian Noise.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownian_noise.
13. Ziel, Aldert Van der. Noise in Measurements. Wiley, Pages Print.
14. Abramowitz, Mortimer, and Michael W. Davidson. “Concepts in Digital Imaging Technology: Photomultiplier Tubes.” Molecular
15. Stienecker. “16. RLC Circuits and Filters (Chapter 16).” Dr. Stienecker's Site, 19 May 2011, drstienecker.com/tech-261- material/16-resistorinductorcapacitor-circuits-chapter-16/.
16. Expressions Microscopy Primer: Digital Imaging in Optical Microscopy - Concepts in Digital Imaging - Photomultiplier Tubes, The Florida State University, 12 Feb. 2016, micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/digitalimaging/concepts/photomultipliers.html.

19. Flicker Noise