Design Considerations for 1.06-<tex>$mu$</tex>m InGaAsP–InP Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiodes

Growth and characterization of GaInAsP/InP-based Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes

“…The DCR is the baseline performance metric that limits the amount of time a GM-APD can be biased above breakdown before a non-photon related avalanche event occurs. Modeling of the DCR combined with experimental data indicates that the dominate mechanism for 1:06Àmm GM-APDs is trap assisted tunneling through the avalanche region via a defect that is approximately 0.34 eV below the conduction band [7]. This is in contrast to 1:55Àmm GM-APDs where DCR is dominated by generation current in the small band gap absorber [7].…”

“…Modeling of the DCR combined with experimental data indicates that the dominate mechanism for 1:06Àmm GM-APDs is trap assisted tunneling through the avalanche region via a defect that is approximately 0.34 eV below the conduction band [7]. This is in contrast to 1:55Àmm GM-APDs where DCR is dominated by generation current in the small band gap absorber [7]. Comparing theory and experimental data we hypothesize that phosphorus vacancies ðV P Þ in the avalanche region are the most probable source of dark counts for 1:06Àmm GM-APDs.…”

“…The structure has been optimized by considering design tradeoffs leading to low DCR and high PDE. This includes appropriately tailoring the thicknesses of the avalanche layer, the absorber layer, and the thickness and doping level of the field stop layer [7]. Current devices have a 1:4 mm thick avalanche and a 1:5 mm thick absorber.…”

Arrays of 128x32 InP-based Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes

“…The ROIC also functions as a digital multiplexer that outputs the spatial and temporal data associated with photon detections made by the GmAPD array. Model prediction of the probability of avalanche breakdown given that a photon has created an electron-hole pair in the absorber [5]. (c) Stack up of the three-chip assembly.…”

“…where μ is the optical coupling efficiency of the microlens array to the GmAPDs, QE is the probability that a photon is absorbed and creates a primary electron-hole pair, and P AVALANCHE is the likelihood that a primary hole is injected into the avalanche region and can initiate a large enough avalanche to trigger the ROIC's discriminator [5].…”