Design Issues Of Confined Quantum State Photomultipliers

Kevin F. Brennan

doi:10.1117/12.962538

28 December 1989 Design Issues Of Confined Quantum State Photomultipliers

Kevin F. Brennan

Proceedings Volume 1158, Ultraviolet Technology III; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962538
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

We present a discussion of the critical issues in the design of a solid state photo-multiplier based on avalanche multiplication of carriers out of confined quantum states. Standard avalanche photodiodes utilize interband impact ionization to provide gain and as such produce electron-hole pairs. As is well known, low noise, high speed performance in these devices is typically frustrated by secondary hole ionization events. In order to overcome these limitations it is desirable to develop an avalanching unipolar solid-state device. Such a scheme is possible based on impact ionization of carriers out of confined quantum states. We present calculations of the impact ionization rate, gain, and dark current in representative GaAs/AlGaAs structures. Our model calculations are based on the average ionization rate calculated from the quantum mechanical transition rate assuming a drifted Maxwellian initial carrier distribution. It is found that the highest gain is attainable in an asymmetric quantum well structure in which the second barrier height is half as large as the initial barrier height. The effect of the electric field, and quantum well doping concentration on the device performance is assessed. Parallels are then drawn between the GaAs/A1GaAs device and a GaN/A1GaN device. It is expected that the GaN/A1GaN materials system is better suited than the GaAs/A1GaAs system for quantum confined state photomultipliers.

Citation Download Citation

Kevin F. Brennan "Design Issues Of Confined Quantum State Photomultipliers", Proc. SPIE 1158, Ultraviolet Technology III, (28 December 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962538

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KEYWORDS

Ionization

Quantum wells

Photomultipliers

Ultraviolet radiation

Avalanche photodetectors

Doping

Gallium arsenide

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