Design and Analysis of Quantum Dot Based Avalanche Photodiode with Intersubband Multiplication

This article presents an avalanche photodiode with quantum dot layers in its active region which operates at 10µm. Performance of this structure is based on intersubband impact ionization phenomenon in quantum dots. It requires lower energy threshold for the onset of avalanche phenomenon, hence it can work in lower operating voltages than bulks. In this paper, by presenting a theoretical approach for intersubband transition rate and electron-electron interaction the photo-generated current was modeled and consequently the responsivity can be calculated. Results show that peak responsivity at a voltage of 14V is obtained about 1.9 A/W. Also the dark current is modeled and calculated at different temperatures and applied voltages.