Pseudo-planar Ge-on-Si avalanche photodiode with >100 gain and low excess noise

Ross W. Millar, Muhammad M. Mirza, Charlie Smith, Jarosław Kirdoda, Derek C. S. Dumas, Charlie McCarthy, Fiona Fleming, Xin Yi, Mrudul Modak, Lisa Saalbach, David Muir, Xiao Jin, Qingyu Tian, Levi Tegg, Sima A. Yamini, John P. R. David, Gerald S. Buller, Douglas J. Paul

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

There is significant interest in short-wave infrared (SWIR) avalanche photodiodes (APDs) for imaging and optical communications. SWIR detection enables long-range, eye-safe LIDAR with improved transmission through obscurants and also compatibility with telecoms networks operating around λ=1550 nm. Si-based platforms are cost-effective and integrate with CMOS electronics but are limited to wavelengths <1 µm. Ge absorber layers extend detection to SWIR wavelengths but typical mesa-based designs typically have edge effects that limit available gain. Here we demonstrate the benefits of a pseudo-planar design that mitigates these effects and enables high gains of 101 to be demonstrated in surface normal APDs with low excess noise factors of 3.1 at a gain of 20; a record for Ge-on-Si devices. Devices have a unity-gain responsivity of 0.41 A/W at λ=1550 nm wavelength.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Components and Materials XXII
EditorsShibin Jiang, Michel J. Digonnet
ISBN (Electronic)9781510684720
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Mar 2025
EventOPTO 2025 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 25 Jan 202531 Jan 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume13362
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceOPTO 2025
Abbreviated titleOPTO 2025
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period25/01/2531/01/25

Keywords

  • Avalanche photodiode
  • Ge-on-Si
  • LIDAR
  • Photodetector
  • Short-wave infrared
  • Telecommunications

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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