High-power microwave photodiode for high-dynamic-range analog transmission

Abstract

For efficient operation, photodiodes have been the predominant choice as photodelectors in fiber-optic microwave-transmission applications. Mesa structures have been operated at frequencies as high as 30 GHz (see Ref. 1), and edge-illuminated and waveguide structures have operated at even higher frequencies.2 Also important to high-fidelity link performance is the level of received photocurrent, with values of 5- 10 mA and above being desirable for many applications. However, little has been reported in the literature about the power-handling capabilities of such photodiodes, which can be expected to be limited because of their small size. Such power limitations can significantly impair the performance of a fiber link, particularly with regard to dynamic range, noise figure, and link loss.