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Estimates of Impact Ionization Coefficients in Superlattice-Based Mid-Wavelength Infrared Avalanche Photodiodes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

C. H. Grein ,
K. Abu El-Rub ,
M. E. Flatté  and
H. Ehrenreich
C. H. Grein
Affiliation:
Microphysics Laboratory and Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607–7059
K. Abu El-Rub
Affiliation:
Microphysics Laboratory and Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607–7059 Department of Physics, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid-Jordan
M. E. Flatté
Affiliation:
Optical Science and Technology Center and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
H. Ehrenreich
Affiliation:
Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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Abstract

We describe band engineering strategies to either enhance or suppress electron-initiated impact ionization relative to hole-initiated impact ionization in type II superlattice mid-wavelength infrared avalanche photodiodes. The strategy to enhance electron-initiated impact ionization involves placing a high density of states at approximately one energy gap above the bottom of the conduction band and simultaneously removing valence band states from the vicinity of one energy gap below the top of the valence band. This gives the electrons a low threshold energy and the holes a high one. The opposite strategy enhances hole-initiated impact ionization. Estimates of the electron (α) and hole (β) impact ionization coefficients predict that α/β>>1 in the first type of superlattice and α/β<<1 in the second type.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 799: Symposium Z – Progress in Compound Semiconductor Materials III - Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications , 2003 , Z3.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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