A Monte Carlo simulation of a photodetection scheme employing noninstantaneous multiplication
Renuka Jindal · Journal of Applied Physics · 1988
We present here numerical simulations of photodiode performance when its response time is comparable to or larger than the measurement time. The effect of the absorption of a photon is modeled as the initiation of a steady current exhibiting full shot noise. The duration of this current is again a random variable. We thus permit randomness both in the number of carriers generated per photon and also the time at which these carriers are released into the external circuit. Computed results support our previously published analytical findings. As opposed to the conventional temporally deterministic approach (first analyzed by Shockley and Pierce), the present method provides a unique way to approach the ideal performance without requiring the carrier multiplication process to be noise free. The physical reasoning that leads to this effect is explained in detail. Signal multiplication, randomly distributed over time, therefore provides the possibility of an alternate approach to design photodiodes that can achieve the ideal performance limit.