Germanium Photodiodes

Germanium photodiodes are commonly used to measure optical power in the NIR range, especially in cost-sensitive applications or where a large-area detector is needed. However, germanium detectors have a lower shunt resistance and higher dark current than similarly-sized InGaAs detectors, resulting in higher noise levels overall. Therefore, germanium detectors are well suited for applications where the signal being detected is much higher than the noise floor. GPD Optoelectronics offers an “HS” series of germanium photodiodes which have higher-than-typical shunt resistance for improved performance.

Features

  • Chip diameters from 1 mm to 25 mm
  • Spectral response from 800 nm to 1700 nm
  • High linearity > 10 dBm
  • Multiple window and lens options
  • Optical filters available (neutral density, bandpass, etc.)
  • Thermoelectric cooling options
  • Wide packaging variety: TO packages, BNC options, chip on ceramic submount, and more

Applications

  • Optical power meters
  • LED/LD characterization and burn-in diagnostics
  • Spectroscopy
  • LED/LD characterization
  • Eye-safe laser detection sensors

 Opto/Electronic Characteristics @ 23 ºC ± 2 ºC

Units
Active Diameter11122233355510×10mm
Part NumberGB100-T18
GB100-LCC6
GH100-T18
GH100-LCC6
GV100-T18
GV100-LCC6
GB200-T5
GB200-LCC6
GH200-T5
GH200-LCC6
GV200-T5
GV200-LCC6
GB300-T5
GB300-LCC28
GH300-T5
GH300-LCC28
GV300-T5
GV300-LCC28
GB500-T8
GB500-LCC28
GH500-T8
GH500-LCC28
GV500-T8
GV500-LCC28
GH10M-T9
GH10M-LCC28
 
Legacy Part NumberGM5GM5HSGM5VHSGM6GM6HSGM6VHSGM7GM7HSGM7VHSGM8GM8HSGM8VHSGM10HS 
Spectral Response800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800800-1800nm
Rλ(typ)@ 850 nm0.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.260.26A/W
Rλ(typ) @ 1300 nm0.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.700.70A/W
Rλ(typ)@ 1550 nm0.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.850.85A/W
RSHUNT (min/typ)20/4060/100200/2806/1230/6080/1204/825/3540/652/410/1515/202/3.5
IDARK (max)31.50.5103130434015550μA
CDIODE (max)853001,4503001,2009,0008004,00013,0003,0006,00035,00030,000pF
VREVERSE1020.31020.3510.25310.10.5V
NEP1.510.631.40.84215326pW/Hz1/2
Linearity8888888888888dB
TO PackagesTO-18TO-18TO-18TO-5TO-5TO-5TO-5TO-5TO-5TO-8TO-8TO-8TO-9 
Leadless Chip CarrierLCC-6LCC-6LCC-6LCC-6LCC-6LCC-6LCC-28LCC-28LCC-28LCC-28LCC-28LCC-28Hybrid 
Storage Temperature-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125-40 to 125ºC
Operating Temperature-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85-40 to 85ºC
Max Reverse Voltage1530.31530.51030.5530.31V
Max Reverse Current-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10mA
Max Forward Current10101010101010101010101010mA
We offer several germanium chip designs based on preferred operating voltage:
GM series:

Designed for high-speed applications with reverse bias > 10 V

HS series:

Designed for applications with reverse bias < 5 V

VHS series:

Designed for zero bias applications

VHR series:

Designed for zero bias applications requiring high shunt resistance

GPD qualifications

Our compliance, certificates, and capabilities.