An Improved Random Path Length Algorithm for p-i-n and Staircase Avalanche Photodiodes

Abstract

We present an improved Random Path Length algorithm to accurately and efficiently estimate the design space of heterostructure avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in terms of gain, noise and bandwidth without any need of full Monte Carlo transport simulations. The underlying nonlocal model for impact ionization goes beyond the Dead Space concept and it is suited to handle staircase structures composed by a superlattice of III-V compounds as well as thick and thin p-i-n APDs. The model parameters have been calibrated on GaAs and $Al_{x}Ga_{1-x}As$ p-i-n APDs in a previous work. In this work GaAs p-i-n APDs are compared to staircase structures in terms of noise and bandwidth.