Simulation and Design Optimization of Germanium-on-Silicon Single Photon Avalanche Diodes

Smith, C. et al. (2023) Simulation and Design Optimization of Germanium-on-Silicon Single Photon Avalanche Diodes. In: SPIE OPTO 2023, San Francisco, CA, USA, 28 Jan-3 Feb 2023, 124260S. ISBN 9781510659575 (doi: 10.1117/12.2650154)

Abstract

Single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are semiconductor photodiode detectors capable of detecting individual photons, typically with sub-ns precision timing. We have previously demonstrated novel pseudo-planar germanium-on-silicon SPADs with absorption into the short-wave infrared, which promise lower costs and potentially easier CMOS integration compared to III-V SPADs. Here we have simulated the dark count rate of these devices, using a custom solver for McIntyre’s avalanche model and a trap assisted tunnelling generation model. Calibration and fitting have been performed using experimental data and the results have highlighted areas in which the technology can be optimised.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: Royal Academy of Engineering (RF-201819-18-187); Innovate UK (44835); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK EPSRC; EP/S026428/1, EP/T001011/1, EP/T00097X/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mirza, Dr Muhammad M A and McCarthy, Charlie and Mowbray, Hannah and Coughlan, Mr Conor and Millar, Dr Ross and Paul, Professor Douglas and Dumas, Dr Derek and Kirdoda, Mr Jaroslaw and Smith, Mr Charles
• Authors: Smith, C., Kirdoda, J., Dumas, D., Coughlan, C., McCarthy, C., Mowbray, H., Mirza, M. M. A., Fleming, F., Yi, X., Saalbach, L., Buller, G., Paul, D., and Millar, R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• ISBN: 9781510659575
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 SPIE
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
309639		Single Photon Infrared Imaging, Detection and Ranging	Douglas Paul	Innovate UK (INNOVATE)	44835	ENG - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering
305753		Quantum Communications hub Phase 2	Robert Hadfield	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/T001011/1	ENG - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering
305567		QuantIC - The UK Quantum Technoogy Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging	Miles Padgett	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/T00097X/1	P&S - Physics & Astronomy