Multiple Quantum Barrier Nano-avalanche Photodiodes - Part I: Spectral Response

Abstract

The spectral response of Multiple Quantum Barrier (MQB) nano-scale avalanche photodiodes (APDs) based on Si~3C-SiC material system shows considerable responsivity of the device within a very wide wavelength range which includes some portion of Ultra- Violet (UV) spectrum (200- 90 nm), visible spectrum (390-770 nm), near-infrared (700-1400 nm), short-wavelength infrared (1400-3000 nm) and mid-infrared (3000-4000 nm) wavelengths. It has already been concluded from preceding studies that Si~3C-SiC MQB APDs shows better spectral response and excess noise characteristics as compared to equivalent conventional APDs based on Si. Moreover, the superiority of the illumination through p+-side (ITPS) structure has been observed among two probable optical illumination configurations such as illumination through n+- side (ITNS) and illumination through p+-side (ITPS) structures. In this paper, the time and frequency responses of Si~3C-SiC MQB APDs have been investigated. A very narrow rectangular pulse of pulse-width of 0.4 ps has been used as the input optical pulse having 850 nm wavelength incident on the p+-side of the MQB APD structures (i.e. ITPS is considered here) and corresponding current responses have been calculated by using a rigorous simulation method developed by the authors; finally the frequency responses of the devices are obtained via the Fourier transform of the corresponding pulse current responses in time domain. The width of the current responses are limited to 4.7 and 3.1 ps in Si nano-APD and Si~3C-SiC MQB (consisting of five quantum barriers) nano-APD respectively for the input optical pulse of width 0.4 ps of 850 nm wavelength. On the other hand, the 3 dB upper cut-off frequencies of the above-mentioned diodes are obtained to be 68.63 and 82.64 GHz respectively. Simulation results show that MQB nano-APDs possess significantly faster time response and wider frequency response as compared to the flat Si nano-APDs under similar operating conditions.