Integrated optical device having integral photodetector

US4703996A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Alastair M. Glass · Rumson, US
• Anthony M. Johnson · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 1984
• Grant date: Nov 3, 1987
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F77/20

Abstract

An integrated optical device is disclosed which includes an integral photodetector exhibiting picosecond response times and quantum efficiences greater than about 30 percent. The photodetector includes a region of substantially amorphous semiconductor material interposed between two electrodes, with the electrode spacing being comparable to the average electron trapping length in the material between the electrodes. Preferably, at least one of the electrodes is a microstrip transmission line.