Design and Optimization of High-Responsivity High-Speed Ge/Si Avalanche Photodiode in the C+L Band

Abstract

We present the design of Ge/Si avalanche photodetectors with SiN stressor-induced Ge strain for the C+L band light detection. By optimizing the placement position and thickness of the SiN layer with compressive stress, a uniform strain distribution with a maximum magnitude of 0.59% was achieved in Ge. The surface-illuminated APDs have been studied in respect of the photo-dark current, responsivity, gain, and 3-dB bandwidth. After introducing SiN stressor, the APD exhibits high primary responsivity of 0.80 A/W at 1.55 μm, 0.72 A/W at 1.625 μm, and 3-dB bandwidth of 17.5 GHz. The increased tensile strain in Ge can significantly improve the responsivity and broaden the response band of the device. This work provides a constructive approach to realizing high-responsivity high-speed Ge/Si APD working in the C+L band.

Keywords

• silicon photonics
• avalanche photodiodes
• mechanical strain
• Ge/Si