Abstract

Many systems using optical amplifiers, soliton transmission, optical-heterodyne photoreceivers, and optical-microwave generation depend critically on photodetector performance at high illumination levels. High photogenerated charge densities cause a nonlinear response in high-speed photodetectors, primarily by field screening, resulting in distorted output and reduced bandwidth. Field screening arises when the dipole due to spatial separation of photogenerated charges significantly reduces the drift field.

© 1995 Optical Society of America