Turn-ON Analysis for a Thyristor-Based Photoreceiver

An analysis of the turn-ON time for a thyristor-based photoreceiver is presented. Using an equivalent circuit that incorporates internal bipolar current gain, the time to trigger and switch the detector on is quantified analytically. For typical device parameters and applying values of photocurrent gain obtained from experimental data, turn-ON times on the order of 25 ps are predicted for a 10 μm device diameter.