Polarization-Independent Photodetector with Integrated Optical Preamplifier and 60 GHz 3 dB Bandwidth

An InP-based photodetector monolithically integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier is presented. The chip operates in the O-band and is polarization-independent. Eye pattern measurements at 56 GBaud confirm the lower detection limit of signals with -13 dB optical power compared to a photodetector without preamplification.