Patent · US Expired

Avalanche photodiode

US4654678A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 30, 1985
Grant dateMar 31, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 30, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10F30/225

Abstract

The invention is an improved avalanche photodiode having reduced electrical noise arising from spurious surface generation of charge carriers. The avalanche photodiode includes active and neighboring regions adjacent a first surface of a semiconductor body with a gap region therebetween and a channel extending a distance into the semiconductor body from a portion of the second opposed surface opposite the gap region. A P-N junction is formed between regions of opposite conductivity type including a portion thereof over the channel. Since the dopant concentration at the junction is less over the channel, the local avalanche gain over the channel is less, thereby reducing the noise contribution from carriers generated in the gap region.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.