Flicker noise

Flicker noise is a form of electronic noise, which was first described by John Bertrand Johnson ( 1925) and experimentally by Walter Schottky ( 1926) by theoretical analysis of measurement results. The effect was then observed in the emission of electrons from the hot cathode and by "Twinkle " (English: flicker ) declared on the surface of the cathode. In Schottkys publication of this term is first used. Therefore, flicker noise is called in the English literature also flicker -noise, leading to the term Germanized led flicker noise.

Schottky determined from measurements Johnson two different spectral noise power densities for different cathode materials, ie once a spectrum that is proportional to and of a second, which is proportional.

It thus differs from another noise phenomenon, which is referred to in the literature as 1/f-noise.

The flicker noise 1 / f ² is strongly dependent devices and is a derivative of the 1 / f noise. Its origin is mainly observed in metal compounds of integrated circuits. It is more common in larger current densities in closely spaced metallic compounds ( wire bonding ). His influence is especially noticeable at very low frequencies and is negligible from a frequency range greater than 10 kHz.

The measurement of the flicker noise can be used as a measure of the quality of the integrated circuits and in Verbondung hybrids. It is a relatively quick and accurate method to evaluate the reliability of the metal compounds without destruction.