150-GHz wide-bandwidth balanced photodetector for high-baud-rate PSK signal detection

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Photonics
• Telecommunications

Background:

• High-speed optical communication systems require advanced photodetectors.
• Next-generation digital coherent receivers demand high-baud-rate signal processing capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel integrated high-speed balanced photodetector (BPD).
• To demonstrate its application in high-speed Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK) signal detection for future communication systems.

Main Methods:

• The BPD utilizes a uni-traveling carrier (UTC) photodiode (PD) with an optimized epitaxial layer structure.
• A narrow-pitch layout was employed for the two integrated PDs.
• Push-pull operation was tested using high-speed DPSK signals.

Main Results:

• The developed BPD achieves a 3 dB bandwidth of 150 GHz and a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of -30 dB.
• Successful demonstration of push-pull operation up to 100 Gbaud was achieved.
• Device design, fabrication, and characterization were detailed.

Conclusions:

• The integrated BPD is suitable for next-generation high-baud-rate digital coherent receivers.
• The demonstrated performance meets the demands for advanced optical communication systems.