Author
Yates, Kenneth Lee, 1959-Issue Date
1987Advisor
Dereniak, E. L.
Metadata
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
This thesis investigates the use of an avalanche Platinum Silicide (PtSi) Schottky Barrier Diode as a detector in fiber optic communication systems for the 1.3 to 1.5 mum spectral region. The avalanche process is used to amplify the signal prior to electrical interfacing in order to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The amount of multiplication is predicted by the impact ionization coefficients for electrons and holes, alpha and beta, respectively. By using PtSi Schottky diodes, where alpha > beta, pure electron injection can be accomplished by irradiating with photons of energy psi hnu Eg (where psi is the Schottky Barrier height and Eg is the bandgap of silicon), thus maximizing multiplication and minimizing noise. An alternative means for avalanching involves the quantum effects of impurity-band ionization. By using a heavily doped semiconductor and operating at low temperatures, one can achieve noise-free gain at lower electric field strengths. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeOptical Sciences