Velocity-matched distributed photodetectors with high-saturation power and large bandwidth

Abstract

A high-power, high-bandwidth photodetector is experimentally demonstrated using a novel velocity-matched distributed photodetector (VMDP). The distributed photodetector structure can achieve large absorption volume and high-saturation power while maintaining the high-speed performance of the fast photodiodes. The VMDP with 56 mA saturation photocurrent and an instrument-limited 3-dB bandwidth of 49 GHz is achieved. The results show that VMDP is ideal for high-performance microwave fiber-optic links and high-power optical-microwave applications.