Data Sheet
September 1998
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors
The 127A/B/C APDs are compatible with industry-standard
packages.
Features
■High performance at both 1.3 µm and 1.5 µm.
■Suitable for use in harsh environments.
■Higher sensitivity and longer wavelength response
than germanium APDs.
■Permanently locked fiber alignment and high cou-
pling stability.
■Reliable planar structure with InGaAsP layer and
dual guard ring for high-speed performance.
■Wide bandwidth:
— >1.0 GHz (127A)
— >1.8 GHz (127B)
— >2.5 GHz (127C)
■Compatible with industry-standard packaging.
■Applications for high data rates: up to 1.5 Gbits/s
(127A) or 2.5 Gbits/s (127B/C).
■Low capacitance.
■Standard pigtail is a multimode fiber with an
FC/PC connector; other pigtails or connectors
available on request.
Applications
■Telecommunications
— High-speed, long-haul communication systems
— High-speed metropolitan area networks
— Submarine cable communication systems
■Military
— Very low-noise receivers
— Satellite transmission
— Optical radar
— Free-space optical communication systems
2Lucent Technologies Inc.
Data Sheet
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors September 1998
Description
The Lucent Technologies Microelectonics Group
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors (APDs)
are high-performance optical devices that are sensi tive
at both 1.3 µm and 1.5 µm wa v elengths . The APDs f ea-
ture high sensitivity and wide bandwidths and are
capable of data rates up to 2.5 Gbits/s.
The APD chip is fabricated b y vapor-phase epitaxy and
has a planar structure for high reliability. Common
applications include long-distance lightwave telecom-
munication systems and extremely sensitive optical
measurement systems.
The 127A/B/C APDs i ncorporate a hermetically seal ed,
ceramic package that is bonded within a metal flange. A
multimode, fiber-optic pigtail, which is terminated with
an FC/PC connector, is aligned with the photodetector
chip by means of the metal flange. Other pigtails or con-
nectors are available upon request. The 127A and 127B
differ only in the bandwidth. The 127C has modified
crystalline layers to provide an increased bandwidth.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Stresses in excess of the Absolute Maximum Ratings can cause permanent damage to the device. These are ab-
solute stress ratings only. Functional operation of the device is not implied at these or any other conditions in excess
of those given in the operational sections of the data sheet. Exposure to Absolute Maximum Ratings for extended
periods can adversely affect device reliability.
* Upper storage temperature is limited by multimode fiber.
Electrical Characteristics
Table 1. General Electrical Characteristics
All measurements at 25 °C, 1.3 µm light.
Parameter Symbol Min Max Unit
Operating Case Temperature Tc–40 80 °C
Storage Case Temperature* Tstg –55 80 °C
Reverse Current Ir— 1 mA
Lead Soldering Temperature/Time — — 275/10 °C/s
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
Breakdown Voltage:
127A
127B
127C
Vbr
Vbr
Vbr
Id = 10 µA
Id = 10 µA
Id = 10 µA
55
55
45
65
65
60
95
95
90
V
V
V
Vbr Temperature Coefficient:
127A
127B
127C
γ
γ
γ
—
—
—
0.15
0.15
0.12
0.20
0.20
0.15
0.30
0.30
0.20
%/°C
%/°C
%/°C
Maximum Gain:
127A
127B
127C
Mmax
Mmax
Mmax
—
—
—
30
30
30
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Primary Dark Current:
127A
127B
127C
Idp
Idp
Idp
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
5
10
10
10
15
nA
nA
nA
Lucent Technologies Inc. 3
Data Sheet
September 199 8 127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors
Electrical Chara cte ristics (continued)
Table 1. General Electrical Characteristics (continued)
All measurements at 25 °C, 1.3 µm light.
* The A coefficient and the breakd own voltage are given for each APD. The gain at any voltage (for M > 3) can be calculated from these para-
meters per : M = A/(Vbr – V).
† Responsivity = quant um efficie ncy x coupling efficiency x gain x (λ/1.24).
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
Total Dark Current:
127A
127B
127C
Idm
Idm
Idm
M = 12
M = 12
M = 12
—
—
—
50
50
100
100
100
150
nA
nA
nA
Bandwidth:
127A
127B
127C
fc
fc
fc
4 < M < 12
4 < M < 12
4 < M < 12
1.3
1.8
2.5
1.5
2.0
3.0
—
—
—
GHz
GHz
GHz
Excess Noise Factor:
127A
127B
127C
F
F
F
M = 12
M = 12
M = 12
—
—
—
5
5
5
6
6
6
—
—
—
Capacitance:
127A
127B
127C
C
C
C
M = 12
M = 12
M = 12
—
—
—
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.7
pF
pF
pF
Gain Coefficient:*
127A
127B
127C
A
A
A
M > 3
M > 3
M > 3
50
50
30
60
60
40
70
70
60
V
V
V
Responsivity:†
127A
127B
127C
R
R
R
M = 12
M = 12
M = 12
9.1
9.1
9.1
9.6
9.6
9.6
—
—
—
A/W
A/W
A/W
4Lucent Technologies Inc.
Data Sheet
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors September 1998
Charac ter i s t ic Curves (TA = 25 °C)
Figure 1. Frequency Response (127A/B)
Note: Responsivity = chip quantum efficie nc y x pigtail couplin g effi-
ciency x gain x λ (µm)/1.24. The minimum chip qua ntu m effi-
ciency is 80%, and the minimum pigtail couplin g effic ienc y is
90%.
Figure 2. Responsivity vs. Wavelength for M = 12
and λ = 1.3 µm
Figure 3. Frequency Response (127C)
Figure 4. 1/Gain vs. Reverse Bias
1-589 (C)
1-586 (C)
1-587 (C)
1-588 (C)
Lucent Technologies Inc. 5
Data Sheet
September 199 8 127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors
Characteristic Curves (TA = 25 °C)
Figure 5. Dark Current vs. Reverse Bias (127A/B)
Figure 6. Dark Current vs. Reverse Bias (127C)
Figure 7. Excess Noise Factor vs. Gain
Note: The temperature dependence of the 127C dark current is the
same as the 127A/B.
Figure 8. Dark Current vs. Voltage as a Function
of Temperature at 25 °C Increments
1-321 (C)
1-606 (C)
1-607 (C)
1-608 (C)
(continued)
Figure 7. Excess Noise Factor vs. Gain
6Lucent Technologies Inc.
Data Sheet
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors September 1998
Charac ter i s t ic Curves (TA = 25 °C) (continued)
APD Receiver Sensitivity
The following figure illustrates typical receiver sensitivity at a receiver rate of 1.7 Gbits/s and λ = 1.3 µm
for an InGaAs PIN, Ge APD, and InGaAs APD.
Figure 9. APD Receiver Sensitivity 1-491 (C)
Lucent Technologies Inc. 7
Data Sheet
September 199 8 127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors
Qualification Inform ation
The 127-Type APD Module has been subjected to the following qualification tests with the intent of meeting
Bellcore TR-NWT-000468 requirements. Not all of the 468 tests have had to be performed specifically on the 127
due to its use of pieceparts from similar, already qualified designs. For example, the hermetic ceramic package in
the 127 has already been qual ified from pre vious APD products using the same part; therefore, a high-temperature
operating bias test is not required. If some test parameters do not fully meet the 468 requirements, it is due to the
limitations of the test equipment involved. For all of the indicated tests, the failure criteria includes a change in
breakdown v ol tage greater than 1 V ; an inc rease in the mul tiplied dark current greater than twice the original value ,
or a total of 600 nA.; a change in responsivity g reater than 10%; or an increase in the primary dark current greater
than twice the original, or a total of 5 nA.
Table 2. 127 APD Qualification Test Program
Test Name Test Conditions Sample Size/
No. of Failures
Temperature Cycle 100 cycles, –40 °C to +70 °C, air to air 10/0
Vibration Max acceleration = 100 g,
frequency range: 20 Hz min to 1500 Hz max,
minimum cycle time = 4 min., 3 axes
10/0
Mechanical Shock Acceleration = 1500 g,
number of blows each direction = 5,
shock pulse duration = 0.5 ms,
number of axes = 6, ±x, ±y, ±z
10/0
Mechanical Sequence Same as vibration and shock but administered
sequentially on the same devices 10/0
High-Temperature Storage 1 T = 70 °C for 168 hours 10/0
High-Temperature Storage 2 T = 80 °C for 1000 hours, devices used are from high-
temperature storage cell 1 10/0
Damp Heat T = 85 °C, 85% RH,
4 devices for 864 hours
12 devices for 624 hours
16/0
Cyclic Moisture Resistance 10 cycles, 1 day/cycle,
each cycle 25 °C to 65 °C, 90% to 100% RH 10/0
Fiber Pull >3 N, 3 times parallel to feedthrough;
same devices ~10 N, 3 times parallel to feedthrough 9/0
Resistance Soldering to Heat T = 350 °C, 3.5 s, 2.5 mm from package body 4/0
Data Sheet
127A/B/C InGaAs Avalanche Photodetectors September 1998
For additional information, contact your Microelectronics Group Account Manager or the following:
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Tel. (65) 778 8833, FAX (65) 777 7495
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Copyright © 1998 Lucent Technologies Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
September 1998
DS98-426LWP (Replaces DS95-103LWP)
Ordering Information
Description Part Number Comcode
InGaAs Avalanche Photodetector 127A
127B
127C
105742969
105742977
106186299
