Abstract: A doped or undoped photoresponsive material having metallic precipitates, and a PiN photodiode utilizing the material for detecting light having a wavelength of 1.3 micrometers. The PiN photodiode includes a substrate having a first compound semiconductor layer disposed thereon. The PiN photodiode further includes an optically responsive compound semiconductor layer disposed above the first compound semiconductor layer. The optically responsive layer includes a plurality of buried Schottky barriers, each of which is associated with an inclusion within a crystal lattice of a Group III-V material. The PiN device also includes a further compound semiconductor layer disposed above the optically responsive layer. For a transversely illuminated embodiment, waveguiding layers may also be disposed above and below the PiN structure. In one example the optically responsive layer is comprised of GaAs:As.

Abstract: A doped or undoped photoresponsive material having metallic precipitates, and a PiN photodiode utilizing the material for detecting light having a wavelength of 1.3 micrometers. The PiN photodiode includes a substrate having a first compound semiconductor layer disposed thereon. The PiN photodiode further includes an optically responsive compound semiconductor layer disposed above the first compound semiconductor layer. The optically responsive layer includes a plurality of buried Schottky barriers, each of which is associated with an inclusion within a crystal lattice of a Group III-V material. The PiN device also includes a further compound semiconductor layer disposed above the optically responsive layer. For a transversely illuminated embodiment, waveguiding layers may also be disposed above and below the PiN structure. In one example the optically responsive layer is comprised of GaAs:As.

Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector is formed of interdigitated, metal-semiconductor-metal electrodes disposed on a surface of semi-insulating semiconductor material, gallium arsenide. Radiation such as infra-red or visible light is converted to an electric current flowing between the electrodes upon application of a bias voltage between the electrodes. A Schottky barrier at the junction of each electrode surface and the semiconductor surface limits current flow to that produced by photons. Tunneling of charge carriers of the current under the Schottky barrier, which tunneling results from the entrapment of charge carriers on the semiconductor surface, is inhibited by the production of a heterojunction surface layer upon the foregoing surface between the electrodes to repulse the charge carriers and prevent their entrapment at the surface. The heterojunction layer may be doped to enhance the repulsion of charge carriers.