Considerations for excess noise measurements of low-k-factor Sb-based avalanche photodiodes

In applications where high sensitivity is required, the internal gain mechanism of avalanche photodiodes can provide a performance advantage relative to p-i-n photodiodes. However, this internal gain mechanism leads to an excess noise that scales with gain. This excess noise term can be minimized by using materials systems in which impact ionization is initiated primarily by one carrier type. Recently, two Sb-based materials systems, AlInAsSb and AlGaAsSb, have exhibited exceptionally low excess noise, particularly for III-V compound materials. There are four important considerations that can impact the excess noise measurements in such low-noise materials. These considerations deal with the excess noise factor calculation method, measurement RF frequency, measurement wavelength, and the gain calculation method. In this paper, each of these factors is discussed, and their implications on excess noise are considered.