Germanium-ion-implanted silicon waveguide photodiode solves performance trade-offs in on-chip light monitoring for programmable photonics

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1110614

"sensitivity signal loss trade-off solved, moving away from using boron/ phosphorus... bombard silicon waveguide with germanium ions, creating controlled defects, without having to add free carriers that degrade optical signals.... high sensitivity in both O-band (1,310 nm) and C-band (1,550 nm), ultra-low absorption ensuring strong primary data signal, minimal electrical noise when no light present, low bias voltage reducing power consumption... programmable photonic networks, medical diagnostics, lab-on-chip"