A silicon vidicon target with electronically variable light sensitivity and spectral response

A silicon vidicon target structure is shown in which light sensitivity and spectral response are controlled by varying the band bending and depletion region depth at the light incident surface. Light sensitivity control ratios of over four orders of magnitude are demonstrated, making the new target suitable for use over a wide range of light conditions without the aid of a mechanical aperture. The use of the light control structure as a high-speed electronic shutter with image sampling times as low as several microseconds is also discussed.