Optical receivers for lightwave communication systems

As long-wavelength optical telecommunications systems are now being installed in countries throughout the world, this is an opportune time to review the successful developments in detectors and receivers for this application. We given prominence to receivers using p-i-n and avalanche photodiodes, describing in some detail the principles of their operation as well as the details of their development. However, we also consider bipolar phototransistors, photoconductive detectors, and the receiver requirements for coherent optical systems, concluding with a broad comparison of the various receiver designs.