Low-Noise 3-D Avalanche Photodiodes

In this paper, we present a new 3-D structure for the InP-based avalanche photodiode, aiming at decreasing the excess noise factor. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time new device designs based on the recently developed 3-D spatial dead space model in 2014 have been proposed. In additi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhiwei Wu, Jingshu Guo, Yuan Li, Yanli Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2016-01-01
Series:IEEE Photonics Journal
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7488195/
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Summary:In this paper, we present a new 3-D structure for the InP-based avalanche photodiode, aiming at decreasing the excess noise factor. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time new device designs based on the recently developed 3-D spatial dead space model in 2014 have been proposed. In addition, we also propose a methodology, i.e., the 2-D planar absorption distribution projection technique, for further optimizing the 3-D model. According to our theoretical simulation results, by combining photonic crystal and selective area doping, the effective k values of InP and In<sub>0.52</sub>Al<sub>0.48</sub>As can be reduced to as low as &#x223C;0.19 and as &#x223C;0.13, respectively. Meanwhile, the optimal thickness of the multiplication region is larger than 0.45 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu\text{m}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, which reduces the tunneling effect. The detailed parameter optimization process, including optics, electronics, and material, is comprehensively presented. The examples in this paper also provide a fresh idea for researchers to foretell and design new photodetectors with the 3-D structure.
ISSN:1943-0655