Patent ID: 7795639
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A photodiode designed to capture incident photons comprising a stack of at least three superposed layers of semiconductor materials having a first conductivity type, said stack comprising: an interaction layer designed to interact with incident photons so as to generate photocarriers; a collection layer to collect said photocarriers; a confinement layer designed to confine said photocarriers in said collection layer; said collection layer having a band gap less than the band gaps of said interaction layer and said confinement layer, and wherein said collection layer is thinner than said confinement layer, said photodiode also comprising a region which extends transversely relative to the planes of said collection and confinement layers, said region being in contact with and completely crossing said collection layer and said confinement layer, and having a conductivity type opposite to said first conductivity type so as to form a p-n junction region with said stack.