Planar GeSn lateral p-i-n resonant-cavity-enhanced photodetectors for short-wave infrared integrated photonics

Abstract

We report normal-incidence planar GeSn resonant-cavity-enhanced photodetectors (RCE-PDs) with a lateral p-i-n homojunction configuration on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform for short-wave infrared (SWIR) integrated photonics. The buried oxide of the SOI platform and the deposited SiO2 layer serve as the bottom and top reflectors, respectively, creating a vertical cavity for enhancing the optical responsivity. The planar p-i-n diode structure is favorable for complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible, large-scale integration. With the bandgap reduction enabled by the 4.2% Sn incorporation into the GeSn active layer, the photodetection range extends to 1960 nm. The promising results demonstrate that the developed planar GeSn RCE-PDs are potential candidates for SWIR integrated photonics.