Single-mode vertical integration of p-i-n photodetectors with optical waveguides for monitoring in WDM transmission systems

A new InP-based waveguide photodetector utilizing single-mode vertical integration of a p-i-n structure atop of a low-loss optical waveguide is reported. Over all states of polarization, in a spectral range across the C-band, the device exhibits high on-chip responsivities of ~1.1 A/W, which remains nearly constant at a reverse bias above 5 V and optical powers up to 1 mW. If integrated within the output channels of a planar demultiplexer, it enables a very compact optical spectral analyzer to be realized.