Design and Analysis of Low Bias, Low Phase Noise Photodetectors for Frequency Comb Applications Using Particle Swarm Optimization

We use particle swarm optimization to optimize the design of a low-bias (5 V) modified uni-traveling carrier photodetector for low-phase-noise frequency comb applications. We analyze the best design generated by the algorithm to determine the physics that leads to a phase noise reduction. We find that the phase noise can be reduced by increasing the electric field in the photon absorption region and by adjusting the doping levels and thicknesses of the layers in the intrinsic region to optimize the electric field.