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AVALANCHE PHOTODIODES
An avalanche photodiode (APD) is a photodiode that internally amplifies the
photocurrent by an avalanche process.
Figure 7-4 shows an example APD structure. In APDs, a large reverse-bias voltage,
typically over 100 volts, is applied across the active region. This voltage causes the
electrons initially generated by the incident photons to accelerate as they move through
the APD active region.
As these electrons collide with other electrons in the semiconductor material, they
cause a fraction of them to become part of the photocurrent. This process is known as avalanche
multiplication. Avalanche multiplication continues to occur until the electrons move
out of the active area of the APD.
Figure 7-4. - The basic structure of an APD.
The gain of the APD can be changed by changing the reverse-bias voltage. A larger
reverse-bias voltage results in a larger gain. However, a larger reverse-bias voltage also
results in increased noise levels. Excess noise resulting from the avalanche
multiplication process places a limit on the useful gain of the APD. The avalanche process
introduces excess noise because every photogenerated carrier does not undergo the same
multiplication.
The noise properties of an APD are affected by the materials that the APD is made of.
Typical semiconductor materials used in the construction of low-noise APDs include silicon
(Si), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), and germanium (Ge).
Trade-offs are made in APD design to optimize responsivity and gain, dark current,
response time, and linearity. This chapter does not attempt to discuss trade-offs in APD
design in more detail. Many aspects of the discussion provided on responsivity, dark
current, and response time provided in the PIN photodiodes section also relate to
APDs.
The response time of an APD and its output circuitry depends on the same factors as PIN
photodiodes. The only additional factor affecting the response time of an APD is the
additional time required to complete the process of avalanche multiplication. To learn
more about APD design trade-offs and performance parameters, refer to the reference
material listed in appendix 2.
Q.17 Describe avalanche multiplication.
Q.18 How can the gain of an APD be increased?
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