Ultraviolet enhanced avalanche photodiodes (APD) have been developed by Laser Components.
The APDs have a reach through structure allowing low noise and sensitivity in the blue and UV wavelength range competitive to any similar detectors available on the market. Its operation as a packaged component is ultimately limited by the transmission of the window, optimised for wavelengths starting at 250nm. Such a high sensitivity at wavelengths even shorter than 250nm has been achieved by the company’s development team. This has been achieved by operating the device under vacuum conditions and a specially designed reach-through structure with an ultra thin surface top layer grown using a unique epitaxial procedure.