Band engineering of infrared avalanche photodiodes for improved impact ionization coefficient ratios

Christoph H. Grein; Michael E. Flatte; Henry Ehrenreich

doi:10.1117/12.448176

12 November 2001 Band engineering of infrared avalanche photodiodes for improved impact ionization coefficient ratios

Christoph H. Grein, Michael E. Flatte, Henry Ehrenreich

Proceedings Volume 4454, Materials for Infrared Detectors; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.448176
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We model the effects of the electronic band structure on hole- and electron-initiated impact ionization coefficients. Calculations for bulk alloy AlGaSb avalanche photodiodes with alloy compositions near the resonance between the energy gap and the spin-orbit splitting reveal that the hole- to electron-impact ionization coefficient ratio shows no enhancement at high electric fields. This is due to carrier heating spreading the hole distribution in the split-off band. However, an enhancement due to the resonance in the band structure is predicted for weak fields. A strategy to extend this type of an enhancement to high fields in a superlattice involves band engineering the superlattice to place flat bands approximately one energy gap below the top of the valence band. This prevents hot holes from spreading in energy and hence gives rise to strong hole-initiated impact ionization and a large hole- to electron-impact ionization coefficient ratio. Quantitative results are presented for a mid-infrared InAs/GaInSb/AlSb superlattice.

Citation Download Citation

Christoph H. Grein, Michael E. Flatte, and Henry Ehrenreich "Band engineering of infrared avalanche photodiodes for improved impact ionization coefficient ratios", Proc. SPIE 4454, Materials for Infrared Detectors, (12 November 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.448176

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