Abstract: Photodetector arrays, image sensors, and other apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a surface to receive light, a plurality of photosensitive regions disposed within a substrate, and a material coupled between the surface and the plurality of photosensitive regions. The material may receive the light. At least some of the light may free electrons in the material. The apparatus may also include a plurality of discrete electron repulsive elements. The discrete electron repulsive elements may be coupled between the surface and the material. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may correspond to a different photosensitive region. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may repel electrons in the material toward a corresponding photosensitive region. Other apparatus are also disclosed, as are methods of use, methods of fabrication, and systems incorporating such apparatus.

Abstract: Photodetector arrays, image sensors, and other apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a surface to receive light, a plurality of photosensitive regions disposed within a substrate, and a material coupled between the surface and the plurality of photosensitive regions. The material may receive the light. At least some of the light may free electrons in the material. The apparatus may also include a plurality of discrete electron repulsive elements. The discrete electron repulsive elements may be coupled between the surface and the material. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may correspond to a different photosensitive region. Each of the discrete electron repulsive elements may repel electrons in the material toward a corresponding photosensitive region. Other apparatus are also disclosed, as are methods of use, methods of fabrication, and systems incorporating such apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with a photonic device and a spot-size converter waveguide device integrated on a common substrate. The spot-size converter waveguide device provides for transformation between a larger spot-size and a smaller spot-size corresponding to the photonic device. The spot-size converter waveguide device includes at least one of a bottom mirror and top mirror, which provide highly-reflective lower and upper cladding, respectively, for vertical confinement of light propagating through the waveguide device. The top mirror overlies opposing sidewalls of the spot-converter waveguide device, which provide highly-reflective sidewall cladding for lateral confinement of light propagating through the waveguide device. Advantageously, the highly-reflective lower cladding provided by the bottom mirror limits optical loss of the waveguide device. Similarly, the highly-reflective upper cladding and sidewall cladding provided by the top mirror limits optical loss of the waveguide device.