Novel, Low C-SWAP, 2 µm Geiger-Mode APD Arrays for Attritable Platforms

In this Phase II effort Attollo will advance the Phase I progress toward development of a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) operating at >2 µm wavelength. We will develop a semiconductor layer structure that supports the high avalanche gain, high photon detection efficiency (PDE) and low dark count rate (DCR) required to support the desired application. A novel photon collection approach will be used to enable high quantum efficiency and PDE while minimizing dark current and DCR. A novel, self-quenching approach will be demonstrated, by which each pixel in an array quickly quenches itself after avalanching. Detectors and detector arrays will be fabricated and characterized both at room temperature and at cryogenic temperatures, to show DCR versus PDE, afterpulsing, quenching, temporal response, quantum efficiency, avalanche gain, and responsivity spectra.