Traveling-wave photodetectors for high-power, large-bandwidth applications

The traveling-wave photodetectors (TWPD) discussed here offer theoretical quantum efficiencies approaching 100% while maintaining a very large electrical bandwidth. Additionally, they are capable of dissipating the high-power levels required for large dynamic range applications. In this paper, the power dissipation limit of the TWPD is explored. A small-signal steady-state model is developed that includes the effects of electrical propagation losses along the detector. Fabrication details are presented and experimental data shows a 3/spl times/1250 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ detector with a 4.8-GHz bandwidth.<
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