Sources of non-linearity in detector

[Thinkmarble]

Basic setup is a photo-detector coupeled with an amplifier.
Questions is what are possible sources of non-linear behaviour ?
Now, one possible source is obviously the amplification of background noise, but what other sources are there ?
Alternatively could one give me a book or website to read up on it ?

 

[vanesch]

Basic setup is a photo-detector coupeled with an amplifier.
Questions is what are possible sources of non-linear behaviour ?
Now, one possible source is obviously the amplification of background noise, but what other sources are there ?

Background is usually not considered a "nonlinearity".
I'd think more in terms of saturation effects, both of the amplifier and the detector, dead-time effects (depends on exactly how it is read out...)

BTW, I think I move this to GP section, as this doesn't really sound like a homework/textbook problem.

 

[Thinkmarble]

The detector in question works at the lower detection limit (which is usuall given by the background noise, correct ?)
Deadtime is an saturation effect as far as I understand, playing a role at hight intensities.

 

[berkeman]

What kind of photodetector? PIN photodiode, PMT, etc.?