LIDAR Sensor System with Improved Photodiode

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system, the LIDAR system comprising:

• a photodiode, comprising:
• a first semiconductor layer configured to form a waveguide region for receipt of initial light into the photodiode and a first region of the photodiode coupled to the waveguide region;
• and
• a second semiconductor layer formed on a portion of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer form a second region of the photodiode coupled to the first region;
• and
• wherein light propagating into the first region of the photodiode comprises one or more first optical modes and light propagating into the second region of the photodiode comprises one or more second optical modes, the second optical modes being different from the first optical modes.

A detector for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system, the detector comprising:

• a photodiode, comprising:
• a first semiconductor layer configured to form a waveguide region for receipt of initial light into the photodiode and a first region of the photodiode coupled to the waveguide region;
• and
• a second semiconductor layer formed on a portion of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer form a second region of the photodiode coupled to the first region;
• wherein light propagating into the first region of the photodiode comprises one or more first optical modes and light propagating into the second region of the photodiode comprises one or more second optical modes, the second optical modes being different from the first optical modes.