Paper
9 June 2014 Integration of a concentric five element InAIAs/InGaAs avalanche photodiode array in a stabilized bi-static optical assembly
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Abstract
In free space optical communication, photodetectors serve not only as communications receivers but as position sensitive detectors (PSD) for pointing, tracking, and stabilization. Typically, two separate detectors are utilized to perform these tasks but recent advances in the fabrication and development of large area, low noise avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays have enabled these devices to be used both as PSDs and as data communication receivers. This combined functionality allows for more flexibility and simplicity in optical assembly design without sacrificing the sensitivity and bandwidth performance of smaller, single element data receivers. This work presents a large area, five element concentric avalanche photodiode array rated for bandwidths beyond 1GHz with a measured carrier ionization ratio of approximately 0.2 at moderate APD gains. We discuss the integration of this array in a bi-static optical interrogator where it acts as a data receiver and provides position information for pointing and stabilization. In addition to front-end and digital electronics design, we also describe the optical assembly design and the development of a pointing and stabilization algorithm.
© (2014) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mike S. Ferraro, Rita Mahon, William S. Rabinovich, James L. Murphy, Wade T. Freeman, Steve Frawley, Peter G. Goetz, Harris R. Burris, Linda M. Thomas, William R. Clark, William D. Waters, Kenneth Vaccaro, Brian Krejca, and Barry M. Mathieu "Integration of a concentric five element InAIAs/InGaAs avalanche photodiode array in a stabilized bi-static optical assembly", Proc. SPIE 9080, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIX; and Atmospheric Propagation XI, 90801D (9 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052943
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Cited by 1 scholarly publication.
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KEYWORDS
Avalanche photodetectors

Receivers

Optical fabrication

Avalanche photodiodes

Free space optics

Sensors

Ionization

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