Paul C. McDonald
Papers
1
Total Citations
10
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Paul C. McDonald is a leading expert in the development of high-performance semiconductor photodetectors, with a particular focus on Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) avalanche photodiodes (APDs). His seminal work, "Development of low excess noise SWIR APDs" (2012), which has garnered 10 citations, addresses a critical bottleneck in SWIR detection: the excess noise generated during the avalanche multiplication process. By pioneering novel device architectures and material systems, McDonald demonstrated how to significantly reduce this excess noise, thereby dramatically improving the sensitivity of APDs for applications such as eye-safe laser ranging, robotic vision, and LIDAR. His contributions have directly enabled more reliable and efficient detection in challenging environments, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in infrared sensing. Beyond this foundational paper, McDonald’s research continues to shape the field, influencing the design of next-generation photodetectors that balance high gain with low noise. His work is essential reading for students and researchers aiming to advance optical communication, autonomous systems, and remote sensing technologies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Development of low excess noise SWIR APDs10 citations · 2012