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Self-quenching InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche detector utilizing zinc diffusion rings.
James Cheng1, Sifang You, Samia Rahman
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive M/C 0409, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. jcheng@logroup.ucsd.edu
Optics Express
|September 22, 2011
Summary
Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) single-photon detectors fabricated with zinc diffusion achieve 20% detection efficiency. This advancement reduces dark counts, improving performance for quantum applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optoelectronics
- Semiconductor Device Physics
Background:
- Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) are crucial for quantum technologies.
- Previous SPAD designs utilized negative feedback for Geiger-mode operation, impacting signal-to-noise ratio.
- Reducing dark counts and enhancing detection efficiency are key challenges in SPAD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of zinc diffusion on InGaAs SPAD performance.
- To demonstrate a simple, effective geometry for improved SPAD characteristics.
- To achieve high detection efficiency and low dark count rates at telecom wavelengths.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of InGaAs SPADs incorporating a zinc-diffusion process.
- Defining the p-i-n junction using zinc diffusion to isolate the high-field region.
- Characterization of device performance, including detection efficiency and dark count rate at cryogenic temperatures.
Main Results:
- A 22 μm diameter InGaAs SPAD achieved a 20% single-photon detection efficiency at 1550 nm.
- The device exhibited a low dark count rate of 8 kHz when operated at 140 K.
- The zinc-diffused geometry effectively reduced dark counts and improved overall detection efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Zinc diffusion is a beneficial technique for fabricating high-performance InGaAs SPADs.
- The demonstrated geometry offers a pathway to improved single-photon detection capabilities.
- Optimized InGaAs SPADs are vital for advancing quantum communication and sensing.
