Dark Noise

Definition: Dark noise refers to the signal detected by a sensor when no input is present. Ideally, a perfect optical sensor should have a noiseless zero output signal in the absence of light, indicating no background signal or noise. In practice, inherent electronic noise, dark current noise, thermal noise combine to produce a non-zero output signal with noise despite a lack of input light. High dark noise levels and/or a large relative variation of dark noise levels can reduce the quality of measurement data.Definition: Dark noise refers to the signal detected by a sensor when no input is present. Ideally, a perfect optical sensor should have a noiseless zero output signal in the absence of light, indicating no background signal or noise. In practice, inherent electronic noise, dark current noise, thermal noise combine to produce a non-zero output signal with noise despite a lack of input light. High dark noise levels and/or a large relative variation of dark noise levels can reduce the quality of measurement data.

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References: Radiometric Calibration: Theory and Methods, Chapter Dark-Noise Analysis, Clair Wyatt

Related terms: correlated noise, after pulsing, dark current noise, dark current, thermal noise, electronic noise, ambient light, background signal