Optical signal distribution to MSM photodetector arrays via integrated polyimide waveguides

The integration of metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector arrays with polyimide ridge waveguides is demonstrated. MSM detectors were fabricated using transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) interdigitated electrodes on semi-insulating GaAs substrates. An optical buffer layer of SiO₂ was deposited and patterned, and then polyimide ridge waveguides were fabricated on top by spin coating and photolithography. The guides were multimode with widths from 10 to 50 μm. Light at 830 nm was coupled efficiently from the waveguides through gaps in the SiO ₂ buffer layer into the underlying detector structures. Absolute responsivities of the integrated MSM devices were around 0.5 A/W and the 3 dB bandwidths of 5-6 GHz were measured. Division of the input signal between sets of two and four detectors under a single waveguide has been achieved, highlighting the potential for the fabrication of integrated optoelectronic switches