Sensitivity analysis of integrated InGaAs MSM-PD's and HEMT optoelectronic receiver array

• Published in: IEEE transactions on electron devices Vol. 42; no. 7; pp. 1221 - 1226
• Main Authors: Liu, Q.Z., MacDonald, R.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-07-1995; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit noise; Circuit properties; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; HEMTs; Indium gallium arsenide; Integrated optoelectronics. Optoelectronic circuits; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical arrays; Optical noise; Optical receivers; Photodetectors; RAKE receivers; Semiconductor device noise; Sensitivity analysis; Ternary compound; Theoretical study; Photodetectors; MSM structure; Aluminum Arsenides; III-V compound; Gallium Arsenides; Integrated optoelectronics; Optical receiver; High electron mobility transistors; Indium Arsenides; Sensor array; Interdigital configuration
• ISSN: 0018-9383; 1557-9646
• DOI: 10.1109/16.391202

A sensitivity analysis is given of a long wavelength optoelectronic receiver array consisting of InAlAs/InGaAs interdigitated Metal Semiconductor Metal photodetectors (MSM-PD's) and a HEMT preamplifier. It is shown that the capacitance varies with the finger width and spacing for a MSM-PD with same active area. Analytical expressions are derived for calculating the sensitivity of the receiver array by means of the equivalent circuit models of the MSM-PD's array and the HEMT. Major noise sources in the receiver array, such as shot noise in the photodetectors, thermal noise in the resistors, gate and drain noises as well as their correlation term in the HEMT, are considered. The influences of geometric parameters of the MSM-PD's and HEMT on the sensitivity of the receiver array are investigated. The optimum gate width of the HEMT is determined for a given MSM-PD array to obtain a high receiver sensitivity. It is also demonstrated that the optical signal related shot noise from the MSM-PD's makes a substantial contribution to the total noise of the receiver array.< >