Design of Deep Guard Ring for Geiger Mode Operation Avalanche Photodiode

Toshiaki KAGAWA

Publication
IEICE TRANSACTIONS on Electronics   Vol.E88-C    No.11    pp.2136-2140
Publication Date: 2005/11/01
Online ISSN: 
DOI: 10.1093/ietele/e88-c.11.2136
Print ISSN: 0916-8516
Type of Manuscript: PAPER
Category: Lasers, Quantum Electronics
Keyword: 
avalanche photodiode,  Geiger mode,  guard ring,  

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Summary: 
The performance of avalanche photodiodes with deep guard rings for Geiger mode operation is studied. The electric field distribution is calculated using the finite element method and the carrier multiplication characteristic is calculated along typical lines in the device. The nonlinear dependence of the ionization rates on the electric field strength can make a guard ring less effective in Geiger mode operation. The maximum single photon detection efficiency that can be obtained without breakdown at the guard ring is calculated for several structure parameters. It is shown that the single photon detection efficiency strongly depends on the guard ring design.