Vines, P., Kuzmenko, K., Kirdoda, J. , Dumas, D. C.S., Mirza, M. M. , Millar, R. W. , Paul, D. J. and Buller, G. S. (2019) High performance planar germanium-on-silicon single-photon avalanche diode detectors. Nature Communications, 10, 1086. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-08830-w) (PMID:30842439) (PMCID:PMC6403241)
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Abstract
Single-photon detection has emerged as a method of choice for ultra-sensitive measurements of picosecond optical transients. In the short-wave infrared, semiconductor-based single-photon detectors typically exhibit relatively poor performance compared with all-silicon devices operating at shorter wavelengths. Here we show a new generation of planar germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors for short-wave infrared operation. This planar geometry has enabled a significant step-change in performance, demonstrating single-photon detection efficiency of 38% at 125 K at a wavelength of 1310 nm, and a fifty-fold improvement in noise equivalent power compared with optimised mesa geometry SPADs. In comparison with InGaAs/InP devices, Ge-on-Si SPADs exhibit considerably reduced afterpulsing effects. These results, utilising the inexpensive Ge-on-Si platform, provide a route towards large arrays of efficient, high data rate Ge-on-Si SPADs for use in eye-safe automotive LIDAR and future quantum technology applications.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Dumas, Dr Derek and Mirza, Dr Muhammad M A and Kirdoda, Mr Jaroslaw and Paul, Professor Douglas and Millar, Dr Ross |
| Authors: | Vines, P., Kuzmenko, K., Kirdoda, J., Dumas, D. C.S., Mirza, M. M., Millar, R. W., Paul, D. J., and Buller, G. S. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering |
| Journal Name: | Nature Communications |
| Publisher: | Nature Research |
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-1723 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2019 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Nature Communications 10: 1086 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
| Data DOI: | 10.17861/5117a021-fc29-4577-ba3d-e53e86b9a4d7 |
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