Photo-detectors integrated with resonant tunneling diodes

Romeira, B., Pessoa, L. M., Salgado, H. M., Ironside, C. N. and Figueiredo, J. M.L. (2013) Photo-detectors integrated with resonant tunneling diodes. Sensors, 13(7), pp. 9464-9482. (doi: 10.3390/s130709464) (PMID:23881142) (PMCID:PMC3758658)

Abstract

We report on photo-detectors consisting of an optical waveguide that incorporates a resonant tunneling diode (RTD). Operating at wavelengths around 1.55 μm in the optical communications C band we achieve maximum sensitivities of around 0.29 A/W which is dependent on the bias voltage. This is due to the nature of RTD nonlinear current-voltage characteristic that has a negative differential resistance (NDR) region. The resonant tunneling diode photo-detector (RTD-PD) can be operated in either non-oscillating or oscillating regimes depending on the bias voltage quiescent point. The oscillating regime is apparent when the RTD-PD is biased in the NDR region giving rise to electrical gain and microwave self-sustained oscillations Taking advantage of the RTD’s NDR distinctive characteristics, we demonstrate efficient detection of gigahertz (GHz) modulated optical carriers and optical control of a RTD GHz oscillator. RTD-PD based devices can have applications in generation and optical control of GHz low-phase noise oscillators, clock recovery systems, and fiber optic enabled radio frequency communication systems.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ironside, Professor Charles
• Authors: Romeira, B., Pessoa, L. M., Salgado, H. M., Ironside, C. N., and Figueiredo, J. M.L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Journal Name: Sensors
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1424-8239
• ISSN (Online): 1424-8220
• Published Online: 22 July 2013
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Sensors 13(7):9464-9482
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License