Analysis, optimization, and SPICE modeling of resonant cavity enhanced p-i-n photodetector

We present a detailed analysis, optimization, and SPICE modeling of the resonant-cavity-enhanced p-i-n photodetector (RCE-p-i-n-PD). Time response, frequency response, and the quality factor of RCE-p-i-n-PD are calculated for different thicknesses of the active layer and for different areas of the photodetector. The standing-wave effect is examined for all these calculations. The effect of the parasitic inductor is studied, and then an optimization is applied to the photodetector to get the optimal value of thickness of the active layer and the series inductor values. Two cases are compared, one with an inductor (L) in series with the load resistor (R_L), and another without this inductor. High performance is obtained in the first case with an inductor, and its optimal values are obtained. A SPICE model for this high-speed photodetector is also presented, and the transfer function of this model is compared for different parameters of the device. Finally, predictions from this SPICE model are compared with published experimental results.