Abstract
We have studied the infrared transmission spectrum and the optical performance of HgCdTe photodiodes containing a linear composition gradient in the active layer. Our objectives were to enable the prediction of the optical performance of a photodiode at 77K, based on the easily and nondestructively measured transmission spectra, as well as to gain a better understanding of the effects of the grading on the optical performance. Consequently, we address three issues here. We first establish improved characterization techniques that can provide accurate values of the necessary material parameters such as gradient in composition. Second, we present a model that can predict the optical response of a diode, based on the material properties and the diode’s geometry. Third, we use the above-mentioned model for the theoretical calculations of the effects of the grading and the resulting built-in electric field on the diode’s optical response.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Tung L.V. DeArmond, R.F. Herald, P.E. Herning, M.H. Kalisher, D.A. Olson, R.F. Risser, A.P. Stevens and S.J. Tighe,Proc. SPIE 1735, 109 (1992).
S.L. Price and P.R. Boyd,Semicond. Sci. Technol. 8, 842 (1993).
G.N. Pultz, P.W. Norton, E.E. Kroeger and M.B. Reine,J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 9, 1724 (1991).
D.D. Edwall, E.R. Gertner and W.E. Tennant,J. Appl. Phys. 55, 1453 (1984).
M.B. Reine, K.R. Maschhoff, S.P. Tobin, P.W. Norton, J.A. Mroczkowski and E.E. Krueger,Semicond. Sci. Technol. 8, 788(1993).
S.J.C. Irwine,SPIE 1735, 92 (1992).
J.M. Arias, J.G. Pasko, M. Zandian, S.H. Shin, G.M. Williams, L.O. Bubulac, R.E. DeWames and W.E. Tenant,J. Electron. Mater. 22, 1039 (1993).
S.M. Johanson, D.R. Rhiger, J.P. Rosback, J.M. Peterson, S.M. Taylor and M.E. Boyd,J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 10, 1499 (1992).
R. Strong, J. Anthony, B. Gnade, J. Keenan, E. Norbeck, L.Li and C. Helms,J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 4, (1992).
W. Micklethwaite,J. Appl. Phys. 63, 2382 (1988).
V. Kopal, R. Ashokan and V. Dhar,Infrared Phys. 33, 39 (1992).
N. Oda, T. Kanno, M. Saga, R. Oikawa and Y. Maejima,J. Cryst. Growth 117, 193 (1992).
E. Finkman and S. Schacham,J. Appl. Phys. 56,2896 (1984).
C.A. Hougen,J. Appl. Phys. 66, 3763 (1989).
K. Liu, J. Chu, B. Li and D. Tang,Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 2818 (1994).
V. Ariel, V. Garber, G. Bahir and D. Rosenfeld, submitted toAppl. Phys. Lett.
D. Rosenfeld and G. Bahir,J. Appl. Phys. 72, 3034 (1992).
E. Finkman,J. Appl. Phys. 54, 1883 (1983).
J.S. Blakemore, Semiconductor Statistics (Oxford, U.K.: Pergamon, 1962).
D. Rosenfeld, V. Garber and G. Bahir,J. Appl. Phys. 76,4399 (1994).
Van der Wiele,Solid State Imaging, 44(Nederland:Noordhaff, 1976).
H. J. Hovel,Semiconductors and Semimetals, vol. 11, ed. R.K. Willardson and A.C. Beer (New York: Academic Press, 1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rosenfeld, D., Garber, V., Ariel, V. et al. Compositionally graded HgCdTe photodiodes: Prediction of spectral response from transmission spectrum and the impact of grading. J. Electron. Mater. 24, 1321–1328 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02653091
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02653091