Santa Ana, California–Microsemi Corp. has begun sampling parts from a second family of high-speed gallium arsenide photodetectors for fiber optic applications.

Designated the MXP4000 Series, the new indium phosphide-based indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs/InP) photodetectors are designed specifically for fiber optic transponder modules and hybrids in the 1310nm to 1550nm spectral range.

The four new devices feature a breakdown voltage of 20V, with bandwidth options from 156 Mb/sec to 10Gb/sec. Initially, the MXP4000 series of photodiodes are being offered in die form for manufacturers of photodiode modules, supervisory VCSEL monitoring circuits, and combination PIN photodiode-transimpedance amplifier hybrids.

“When we announced our 850nm GaAs photodetectors in September, we indicated that our InGaAs/InP detectors would be sampling by the end of the calendar year,” said Lane Jorgensen, vice president and general manager of the optical devices business unit. “As this announcement indicates, we continue to remain on track with development of our gallium arsenide products.”