A thermionic-field-diffusion model for Npn bipolar heterojunction phototransistors

Abstract

This article describes the development of a thermionic-field-diffusion model for use in the analysis and design of abrupt, single heterojunction bipolar phototransistors (HPTs) for use in HBT-based optical receivers. In particular, included in this approach are the effects of a dc base bias on the optical gain and device performance. Taking into account the optical generation, the excess electron concentration at the emitter end of the quasi-neutral base is initially determined using a matching of the thermionic field emission across the emitter-base heterojunction with the diffusion current at the emitter end of the base. At the collector end of the base region, a finite electron concentration is used based on the collector current density. The results are used to determine the electron profile in the quasi-neutral base region and the diffusion components to the emitter and collector currents. To determine the device’s optical gain, the photocurrent and the small signal current gain are calculated. The dominant component in the photocurrent is found to be due to optical absorption in the base-collector space charge region. For backside illumination, the collector component becomes larger. The base width and electron diffusion length control the current gain and thereby the optical gain. The model is used to quantify the effects of the device’s structure on the optical gain.