Abstract

The development of optical signal processing and optical communication systems has created the need for ultrafast photodetectors to achieve high data rates. Very fast response times have been achieved with GaAs Schottky photodiodes.¹ Here we report the development and characterization of a high speed planar GaAs PIN photodiode which exhibits an impulse response of 19-psec FWHM to 4-psec pulses from a near-IR laser. Because of its design characteristics, the photodiode is ideally suited for fiber-optic coupling of the light directly into the intrinsic layer. Since the device has planar contacts it can easily be integrated in optoelectronic circuits.

© 1984 Optical Society of America