The thermal-runaway process in long-wavelength velocity-matched distributed
photodetectors (VM DP) with metal-semiconductor-metal photodiodes has been
investigated. A three-dimensional numerical electrothermal model has been
developed which takes into account the nonlinear thermal properties of the
substrate and the nonuniform temperature rise due to self heating. The mode
l shows that, owing to its distributed nature, the photodetector is able to
operate at high optical-power level before catastrophic failure occurs. Wh
en this happens, a highly localised hot spot appears within the device and
the characteristic exhibits a typical 'current crush point', where the curr
ent rapidly increases with increasing bias voltage. Examples are discussed
to highlight the thermal behaviour of the distributed detector and to compa
re the model with experimental data.