AlGaAs/GaAs avalanche detector array-1 GBit/s X-ray receiver for timing measurements

We report on the first realization of 2/spl times/2 detector arrays based on aluminum gallium arsenide/gallium arsenide (AlGaAs/GaAs) heterostructure avalanche photodiodes. These structures consists of a GaAs absorption layer and an AlGaAs/GaAs avalanche layer which acts as a multiplication region. The samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and processed into pin diodes of different diameters. Dark current densities were as low as 200 pA/mm/sup 2/ at 90% of the breakdown voltage as determined by I-V measurements. The avalanche gain of the devices have been measured with optical pulses. Gains up to a factor of M=1000 have been determined before breakdown. Additionally the excess noise factor F(M) has been derived for gains between M=1 and M=300. The ionization rates ratio of the structure is k=/spl alpha///spl beta/=3.4/spl plusmn/0.3. In connection to a fast electronic readout chain, the time response of the detectors to 14.4 keV X-ray photons has been tested at the ESRF (Grenoble). The time resolution was found to be 200 ps (FWHM) using standard timing electronics.