Picosecond photodetector for 257 nm to 1 mum laser pulses

Picasecond temporal response and broad spectral response photodetectors have been fabricated using commercially available diode chips. Improved photoresponse sensitivity is achieved by removing the anode gold contact which obscures the active region. Junction geometry is such that the depletion region is approximately normal to the surface being illuminated, making the device especially useful for fast UV photodetection.