title: Thin 3D multiplication regions in plasmonically enhanced nanopillar avalanche detectors.
abstract: We demonstrate a nanopillar (NP) device structure for implementing plasmonically enhanced avalanche photodetector arrays with thin avalanche volumes (∼ 310 nm × 150 nm × 150 nm). A localized 3D electric field due to a core-shell PN junction in a NP acts as a multiplication region, while efficient light absorption takes place via surface plasmon polariton Bloch wave (SPP-BW) modes due to a self-aligned metal nanohole lattice. Avalanche gains of ∼216 at 730 nm at -12 V are obtained. We show through capacitance-voltage characterization, temperature-dependent breakdown measurements, and detailed device modeling that the avalanche region is on the order of the ionization path length, such that dead-space effects become significant. This work presents a clear path toward engineering dead space effects in thin 3D-confined multiplication regions for high performance avalanche detectors for applications in telecommunications, sensing and single photon detection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States. pradeeps@ee.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senanayake
authors.forename: Chung-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Chi-Kang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuh-Renn
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Majeed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Huffaker