Patent ID: 8786043

Claim:
An avalanche photodiode, comprising: a substrate; and a multi-layer structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate, comprising: at least one top stressor layer including an amorphous silicon (Si) layer, the at least one top stressor layer coupled to at least one metal contact of a first electrical polarity; a germanium (Ge)-containing absorption layer on which the at least one top stressor layer is disposed; a charge layer on which the Ge-containing absorption layer is disposed; a multiplication layer on which the charge layer is disposed; and a contact layer on which the multiplication layer is disposed, the contact layer coupled to at least one metal contact of a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity, wherein the at least one top stressor layer is configured to increase a tensile strain in the Ge-containing absorption layer such that absorption of the Ge-containing absorption layer between 1550 nm and 1650 nm is increased.