Edge-coupled digital alloy AlInAsSb SPAD with high avalanche breakdown probability

D Daniel J. Herrera (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,) K Kubra Circir (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,) J J. Andrew McArthur (National Institute of Standards and Technology 2 , 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305,) E Ellie Wang T Tasneem Fatema (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,) A Andreas Beling S Seth R. Bank J Joe C. Campbell (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia 22904,)

Abstract

Waveguide-coupled single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) with near-unity detection efficiencies at 1550 nm operating at moderate temperatures are a crucial component for numerous quantum optics applications. The III–V compound quaternary AlxIn1−xAsySb1−y, has material characteristics that make it attractive for low-noise linear-mode APDs and high-detection-efficiency SPADs. It can be grown on mature substrates with a high degree of flexibility with respect to absorption cutoff and can also achieve high avalanche breakdown probabilities due to its strongly asymmetric ionization coefficients. In this work, we simulate and experimentally characterize the avalanche breakdown probability of an edge-coupled, 1550 nm-illuminated AlInAsSb-based SPAD. We report avalanche breakdown probabilities greater than 85% at an over-bias of less than 2.5%.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 15
Published October 13, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

D

Daniel J. Herrera

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,

K

Kubra Circir

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,

J

J. Andrew McArthur

National Institute of Standards and Technology 2 , 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305,

E

Ellie Wang

T

Tasneem Fatema

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia 1 , Charlottesville, Virginia 22903,

A

Andreas Beling

S

Seth R. Bank

J

Joe C. Campbell

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia 22904,