Extraction photodiodes with Auger suppression for all-weather free-space optical communication

The use of nonequilibrium, minority carrier extraction photodiodes with Auger generation-recombination suppression as receivers for second-generation wireless optical communications in the long wavelength infrared range is analyzed. We chose mercury cadmium telluride as the detector material. We numerically simulated the device figures of merit utilizing a generalized form of van Rosbroeck-Shockley model, taking into account the band nonparabolicity of mercury cadmium telluride. Our analysis shows that extraction photodiodes could satisfy the posed requirements.