@inproceedings{71744b57a3c34859a35754c9428ee12b,
title = "Pseudo-planar Ge-on-Si avalanche photodiode with >100 gain and low excess noise",
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.",
keywords = "Avalanche photodiode, Ge-on-Si, LIDAR, Photodetector, Short-wave infrared, Telecommunications",
author = "Millar, \{Ross W.\} and Mirza, \{Muhammad M.\} and Charlie Smith and Jaros{\l}aw Kirdoda and Dumas, \{Derek C. S.\} and Charlie McCarthy and Fiona Fleming and Xin Yi and Mrudul Modak and Lisa Saalbach and David Muir and Xiao Jin and Qingyu Tian and Levi Tegg and Yamini, \{Sima A.\} and David, \{John P. R.\} and Buller, \{Gerald S.\} and Paul, \{Douglas J.\}",
year = "2025",
month = mar,
day = "21",
doi = "10.1117/12.3042259",
language = "English",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE",
editor = "Shibin Jiang and Digonnet, \{Michel J.\}",
booktitle = "Optical Components and Materials XXII",
note = "OPTO 2025, OPTO 2025 ; Conference date: 25-01-2025 Through 31-01-2025",
}