[摘要]:Electronic noise in quantum cascade structures is investigated theoretically and experimentally under dark conditions. A model based on a unified and insightful vision of noise generating mechanisms is proposed and describes both thermal and shot noise behaviors. Dark measurements of quantum cascade detectors operating at 8 mu m and 15 mu m are retrieved with good quantitative agreement. This model is expected to be applicable to other quantum structures and under illumination. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3671328]