Optical Detectors

By
Shilpi Bhadauria
Introduction
Detector is an essential component of an
optical fiber communication system.
Its function is to convert the received
optical signal into a electrical signal, which
is amplified before further processing.
To improvement its individuality allows the
installation of fewer repeaters.
Requirements for
detectors
High sensitivity at operating wavelength.
Response of photo detector must be linear with optical signal.
Quantum efficiency should be high.
Dark current, leakage current& shunt conductance must be
low.
Characteristics should be independent of change in ambient
conditions.
Small size.
High reliability.
Low cost.
Optical detection
principles
This is reverse biased & the electric field developed
across the PN junction. A depletion region or layer is
created on either side of junction, a photon incident in
or near the depletion region of this device which has
an energy greater than or equal to band gap energy of
the fabricating material will excite an electron from
valance band into the conduction band. This process
leaves an empty hole in the valance band is known as
photo generation of an EHP. Under an electric field to
produce a displacement by current.
Types of optical detectors-
PN photodiodes
• Photons may be absorbed in both depletion
and diffusion region.
• EHP are generated in both depletion and
diffusion region.
PIN photodiodes
At longer wavelength where the light
penetrates more deeply into the
semiconductor material, a wider depletion
region is necessary.
In it all absorption take place in depletion
region.
Diagram
Avalanche photodiodes
Response time for this devices is limited by
three factors.
Transit time of carrier across the absorption
region.
Time taken by the carriers to perform the
avalanche multiplication process.
RC time constant by the junction
capacitance.
Diagram
Quantum dot photo
detectors