A circuit model simulation for separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication avalanche photodiodes

We obtain a transfer function and a circuit model for separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication avalanche photodiodes (SAGCM-APD's). This model is used to calculate the frequency and time responses of the APD's, and to investigate the influence of the carrier velocities and dead-space effect on the bandwidth of the devices. It is shown that for thinner APD's, the dead-space effect can be included by considering a non-local model for carrier velocities, and a local model for impact ionization rates. The new approach is easier than the previous methods, and the calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data.