Abstract: The specification describes lightwave systems with remotely powered photoelectric generators. Optical power transmitted through the fiber is incident on a remotely located photodiode array. High power conversion efficiency coupled with a specially designed diode array generates sufficient power to operate electromechanical or electrooptic apparatus in the remote station. Long wavelength photodiodes in a circular or polygonal circularly symmetric array are serially connected to increase the voltage to practical operating levels. The photodiodes are fabricated to allow back lighting of the array. The bottom contact layer is made transparent to the wavelength of the power signal. This arrangement allows the contact area to extend over the entire front surface of the diode to reduce contact resistance. It also gives nearly optimum fill factor. The front surface may be metallized so the incident light undergoes a double pass through the absorbing layer.

Abstract: The specification describes lightwave systems with remotely powered photoelectric generators. Optical power transmitted through the fiber is incident on a remotely located photodiode array. High power conversion efficiency coupled with a specially designed diode array generates sufficient power to operate electromechanical or electrooptic apparatus in the remote station. Long wavelength photodiodes are serially connected to increase the voltage to practical operating levels. In a communication system, with an optical signal transmitted with the optical power, multiplexers are used for separating the optical power from the optical signal. Also disclosed are optimally designed photodetector arrays in which the photodetector elements are segments of a circular or polygonal circularly symmetric array to increase the fill factor of the array.