Unraveling the efficiency losses and improving methods in quantum dot-based infrared up-conversion photodetectors

Quantum dot-based up-conversion photodetector,in which an infrared photodiode(PD)and a quantum dot light-emitting diode(QLED)are back-to-back connected,is a promising candidate for low-cost infrared imaging.However,the huge efficiency losses caused by integrating the PD and QLED together hasn’t been studied sufficiently.This work revealed at least three origins for the efficiency losses.First,the PD unit and QLED unit usually didn’t work under optimal conditions at the same time.Second,the potential barriers and traps at the interconnection between PD and QLED units induced unfavorable carrier recombination.Third,much emitted visible light was lost due to the strong visible absorption in the PD unit.Based on the understandings on the loss mechanisms,the infrared up-conversion photodetectors were optimized and achieved a breakthrough photon-to-photon conversion efficiency of 6.9%.This study provided valuable guidance on how to optimize the way of integration for up-conversion photodetectors.

High-performance extended short-wavelength infrared PBn photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices

High performance short-wavelength infrared PBn photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices on GaSb substrate have been demonstrated.At 300 K,the device exhibits a 50%cut-off wavelength of~2.1μm as predicted from the band structure calculation;the device responsivity peaks at 0.85 A/W,corresponding to a quantum efficiency(QE)of 56%for 2.0μm-thick absorption region.The dark current density of 1.03×10^(-3)A/cm^(2)is obtained under 50 mV applied bias.The device exhibits a saturated dark current shot noise limited specific detectivity(D*)of 3.29×1010cm·Hz^(1/2)/W(at a peak responsivity of 2.0μm)under-50 mV applied bias.

The measurement of responsivity of infrared photodetectors using a cavity blackbody

For the measurement of responsivity of an infrared photodetector,the most-used radiation source is a blackbody.In such a measurement system,distance between the blackbody,the photodetector and the aperture diameter are two parameters that contribute most measurement errors.In this work,we describe the configuration of our responsivity measurement system in great detail and present a method to calibrate the distance and aperture diameter.The core of this calibration method is to transfer direct measurements of these two parameters into an extraction procedure by fitting the experiment data to the calculated results.The calibration method is proved experimentally with a commercially extended InGaAs detector at a wide range of blackbody temperature,aperture diameter and distance.Then proof procedures are further extended into a detector fabricated in our laboratory and consistent results were obtained.

9μm Cutoff 128×128 AlGaAs/GaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector Focal Plane Arrays

We design and fabricate a 128 × 128 AlGaAs/GaAs quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane array （FPA）. The device is achieved by metal organic chemical vapor deposition and GaAs integrated circuit processing technology. A test structure of the photodetector with a mesa size of 300μm × 300μm is also made in order to obtain the device parameters. The measured dark current density at 77K is 1.5 × 10^-3A/cm^2 with a bias voltage of 2V. The peak of the responsivity spectrum is at 8.4μm,with a cutoff wavelength of 9μm. The blackbody detectivity is shown to be 3.95 × 10^8 （cm · Hz^1/2）/W. The final FPA is flip-chip bonded on a CMOS read-out integrated circuit. The infrared thermal images of some targets at room temperature background are successfully demonstrated at 80K operating temperature with a ratio of dead pixels of less than 1%.

Short-wave infrared InGaAs photodetectors and focal plane arrays

In this article, unique spectral features of short-wave infrared band of 1 μm–3 μm, and various applications related to the photodetectors and focal plane arrays in this band, are introduced briefly. In addition, the different material systems for the devices in this band are outlined. Based on the background, the development of lattice-matched and wavelengthextended InGaAs photodetectors and focal plane arrays, including our continuous efforts in this field, are reviewed. These devices are concentrated on the applications in spectral sensing and imaging, exclusive of optical fiber communication.

Growth of aligned SnS nanowire arrays for near infrared photodetectors

Aligned SnS nanowires arrays were grown via a simple chemical vapor deposition method.As-synthesized SnS nanowires are single crystals grown along the[111]direction.The single SnS nanowire based device showed excellent response to near infrared lights with good responsivity of 267.9 A/W,high external quantum efficiency of 3.12×10^4%and fast response time.Photodetectors were built on the aligned SnS nanowire arrays,exhibiting a light on/off ratio of 3.6,and the response and decay time of 4.5 and 0.7 s,respectively,to 1064 nm light illumination.

Progress in quantum well and quantum cascade infrared photodetectors in SITP

This paper presents a review of recent advances in quantum well and quantum cascade infrared photodetectors developed in Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences(SITP/CAS). Firstly, the temperature-and bias-dependent photocurrent spectra of very long wavelength(VLW) GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors(QWIPs) are studied using spectroscopic measurements and corresponding theoretical calculations in detail. We confirm that the first excited state, which belongs to the quasi-bound state, can be converted into a quasi-continuum state induced by bias and temperature. Aided by band structure calculations, we propose a model of the double excited states that determine the working mechanism in VLW QWIPs. Secondly, we present an overview of a VLW QWIP focal plane array(FPA)with 320×256 pixels based on the bound to quasi-bound(BTQB) design. The technology of the manufacturing FPA based on the QWIP structures has been demonstrated. At the operating temperature of 45 K, the detectivity of QWIP FPA is larger than 1.4×10^(10) cm·Hz^(1/2)/W with a cutoff wavelength larger than 16 μm. Finally, to meet the needs of space applications, we proposed a new long wavelength quantum cascade detector with a broadband detection ranging from 7.6 μm to 10.4 μm. With a pair of identical coupled quantum wells separated by a thin barrier, acting as absorption regions, the relative linewidth(?E/E) of response can be dramatically broadened to 30.7%. It is shown that the spectral shape and linewidth can be tuned by the thickness of the thin barrier, while it is insensitive to the working temperature. The device can work above liquid nitrogen temperature with a peak responsivity of 63 mA/W and Johnson noise limited detectivity of 5.1×10~9 cm·Hz^(1/2)/W.

Room-temperature infrared photodetectors with hybrid structure based on two-dimensional materials

Two-dimensional(2D) materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs), black phosphorus(BP),and related derivatives, have attracted great attention due to their advantages of flexibility, strong light–matter interaction,broadband absorption, and high carrier mobility, and have become a powerful contender for next-generation infrared photodetectors. However, since the thickness of 2D materials is on the order of nanometers, the absorption of 2D materials is very weak, which limits the detection performance of 2D materials-based infrared photodetectors. In order to solve this problem, scientific researchers have tried to use optimized device structures to combine with 2D materials for improving the performance of infrared photodetectors. In this review, we review the progress of room-temperature infrared photodetectors with hybrid structure based on 2D materials in recent years, focusing mainly on 2D–nD(n = 0, 1, 2) heterostructures, the integration between 2D materials and on-chip or plasmonic structure. Finally, we summarize the current challenges and point out the future development direction.

Single-Crystalline In Ga As Nanowires for Room-Temperature High-Performance Near-Infrared Photodetectors

In Ga As is an important bandgap-variable ternary semiconductor which has wide applications in electronics and optoelectronics. In this work, single-crystal In Ga As nanowires were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method.Photoluminescence measurements indicate the In Ga As nanowires have strong light emission in near-infrared region. For the first time, photodetector based on as-grown In Ga As nanowires was also constructed. It shows good light response over a broad spectral range in infrared region with responsivity of 6.5×10~3 AW^(-1) and external quantum efficiency of 5.04×10~5%. This photodetector may have potential applications in integrated optoelectronic devices and systems.

Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors:the Basic Design and New Research Directions

The basic design principles and parameters of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) are reviewed.Furthermore new research directions,devices and applications suited for QWIPs are discussed.These include monolithic integration of QWIPs with GaAs based electronic and optoelectronic devices,high frequency and high speed QWIPs and applications,multicolor and multispectral detectors,and p-type QWIPs.

Development of long-wavelength infrared detector and its space-based application requirements

Infrared detection technology has greatly expanded the ability of mankind to study the earth and the universe. In recent years, the demand for long-wavelength infrared detectors is increasing for their advantages in exploring the earth and the universe. A variety of long-wavelength infrared detectors have been made based on thermal resistive effect, photoelectric effect, etc., in the past few decades. Remarkable achievements have been made in infrared materials, device fabrication,readout circuit, and device package. However, high performance long-wavelength infrared detectors, especially those for large format long-wavelength infrared detector focus plane array, are still unsatisfactory. Low noise, high detectivity, and large format long-wavelength infrared detector is necessary to satisfy space-based application requirements.

QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL AND SIMULATION OF GaAs/AlGaAs QUANTUM WELL INFRARED PHOTODETECTOR-Ⅱ ELECTRICAL ASPECTS

A complete quantum mechanical model for GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors(QWIPs) was presented. The photocurrent was investigated by the optical transition(absorption coefficient)between the ground state and the excited states due to the nonzero component of the radiation field along the sample growth direction. By studying the inter diffusion of the Al atoms across the GaAs/AlGaAs heterointer faces, the mobility of the drift diffusion carriers in the excited states was calculated. As a result, the measurement results of the dark current and the photocurrent spectra are explained theoretically.

Development of Low Dark Current SiGe Near-Infrared PIN Photodetectors on 300 mm Silicon Wafers

SiGe offers a low-cost alternative to conventional infrared sensor material systems such as InGaAs, InSb, and HgCdTe for developing near-infrared (NIR) photodetector devices that do not require cooling and can operate with relatively low dark current. As a result of the significant difference in thermal expansion coefficients between germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si), tensile strain incorporated into SiGe detector devices through specialized growth processes can extend their NIR wavelength range of operation. We have utilized high throughput, large-area complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology to fabricate Ge based p-i-n (PIN) detector devices on 300 mm Si wafers. The two-step device fabrication process, designed to effectively reduce the density of defects and dislocations arising during deposition that form recombination centers which can result in higher dark current, involves low temperature epitaxial deposition of Ge to form a thin p+ seed layer, followed by higher temperature deposition of a thicker Ge intrinsic layer. Phosphorus was then ion-implanted to create devices with n+ regions of various doping concentrations. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) has been utilized to determine the doping profiles and material compositions of the layers. In addition, electrical characterization of the I-V photoresponse of different devices from the same wafer with various n+ region doping concentrations has demonstrated low dark current levels (down to below 1 nA at -1 V bias) and comparatively high photocurrent at reverse biases, with optimal response for doping concentration of 5 × 1019 cm-3.

Recent progress of infrared photodetectors based on lead chalcogenide colloidal quantum dots

Commercial photodetectors based on silicon are extensively applied in numerous fields. Except for their high performance, their maximum absorption wavelength is not over than 1100 nm and incident light with longer wavelengths cannot be detected; in addition, their cost is high and their manufacturing process is complex. Therefore, it is meaningful and significant to extend absorption wavelength, to decrease cost, and to simplify the manufacturing process while maintaining high performance for photodetectors. Due to the properties of size-dependent bandgap tunability, low cost, facile processing,and substrate compatibility, solution–processed colloidal quantum dots(CQDs) have recently gained significant attention and become one of the most competitive and promising candidates for optoelectronic devices. Among these CQDs, lead chalcogenide CQDs are getting very prominent and are widely investigated. In this paper, the recent progress of infrared(IR) photodetectors based on lead sulfide(PbS), lead selenide(PbSe), and ternary PbS_x Se_(1-x) CQDs, and their underlying concepts, breakthroughs, and remaining challenges are reviewed, thus providing guidance for designing high-performance quantum-dot IR photodetectors.

Injector Quantum Dot Molecule Infrared Photodetector:A Concept for Efficient Carrier Injection

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors are expected to be a competitive technology at high oper ation temperatures in the long and very long wavelength infrared spectral range.Despite the fact that they already achieved notable success,the performance suffers from the thermionic emission of electrons from the quantum dots at elevated temperatures resulting in a decreasing responsivity.In order to provide an efficient carrier injection at high temperatures,quantum dot infrared photodetectors can be separated into two parts:an injection part and a detection part,so that each part can be separately optimized.In order to integrate such functionality into a device,a new class of quantum dot infrared photodetectors using quantum dot molecules will be introduced.In addition to a general discussion simulation results suggest a possibility to realize such a device.

Facile sensitizing of PbSe film for near-infrared photodetector by microwave plasma processing

High quality PbSe film was first fabricated by a thermal evaporation method, and then the effect of plasma sensitization on the PbSe film was systemically investigated. Typical detectivity and significant photosensitivity are achieved in the PbSe-based photodetector, reaching maximum values of 7.6 × 10^(9)cm·Hz^(1/2)/W and 1.723 A/W, respectively. Compared with thermal annealing, plasma sensitization makes the sensitization easier and significantly improves the performance.

Modelling of the Quantum Transport in Strained Si/SiGe/Si Superlattices Based P-i-n Infrared Photodetectors for 1.3 - 1.55 μm Optical Communication

In this paper, a p-i-n heterojunction based on strain-compensated Si/Si1-xGex/Si multiple quantum wells on relaxed Si1-yGey is proposed for photodetection applications. The Si1-yGey/Si/Si1-xGex/Si/Si1-yGey stack consists in a W-like potential profile strain-compensated in the two low absorption windows of silica fibers infrared (IR) photodetectors. These computations have been used for the study of p-i-n infrared photodetectors operating at room temperature (RT) in the range 1.3 - 1.55 μm. The electron transport in the Si/Si1-xGex/Si multi-quantum wells-based p-i-n structure was analyzed and numerically simulated taking into account tunneling process and thermally activated transfer through the barriers mainly. These processes were modeled with a system of Schrodinger and kinetic equations self-consistently resolved with the Poisson equation. Temperature dependence of zero-bias resistance area product (RoA) and bias-dependent dynamic resistance of the diode have been analyzed in details to investigate the contribution of dark current mechanisms which reduce the electrical performances of the diode.

A review on the developments and space applications of mid- and long-wavelength infrared detection technologies

Mid-wavelength infrared(MWIR)detection and long-wavelength infrared(LWIR)detection constitute the key technologies for space-based Earth observation and astronomical detection.The advanced ability of infrared(IR)detection technology to penetrate the atmosphere and identify the camouflaged targets makes it excellent for space-based remote sensing.Thus,such detectors play an essential role in detecting and tracking low-temperature and far-distance moving targets.However,due to the diverse scenarios in which space-based IR detection systems are built,the key parameters of IR technologies are subject to unique demands.We review the developments and features of MWIR and LWIR detectors with a particular focus on their applications in space-based detection.We conduct a comprehensive analysis of key performance indicators for IR detection systems,including the ground sampling distance(GSD),operation range,and noise equivalent temperature difference(NETD)among others,and their interconnections with IR detector parameters.Additionally,the influences of pixel distance,focal plane array size,and operation temperature of space-based IR remote sensing are evaluated.The development requirements and technical challenges of MWIR and LWIR detection systems are also identified to achieve high-quality space-based observation platforms.

QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL AND SIMULATION OF GaAs/AlGaAs QUANTUM WELL INFRARED PHOTO-DETECTOR-ⅠOPTICAL ASPECTS

A complete quantum mechanical model for GaAs?AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors(QWIPs) is presented here. The model consisted of four parts: (1) Starting with the description of the electromagnetic field of the infrared radiation in the QWIP, effective component of the vector potential <| A z |> along the QWIP growth direction ( z axis) due to the optical diffraction grating was calculated. (2) From the wave transmissions and the occupations of the electronic states, it was discussed that the dark current in the QWIP is determined by the drift diffusion current of carriers thermally excited from the ground sublevel in the quantum well to extended states above the barrier. (3) The photocurrent was investigated by the optical transition (absorption coefficient between the ground state to excited states due to the nonzero <| A z |> ). (4) By studying the inter diffusion of the Al atoms across the GaAs?AlGaAs heterointerfaces,the mobility of the drift diffusion carriers in the excited states was calculated, so the measurement results of the dark current and photocurrent spectra can be explained theoretically. With the complete quantum mechanical descriptions of (1 4), QWIP device design and optimization are possible.

Advantages of QWIP technology in infrared thermal cameras

Standard GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors(QWIP)have been seriously considered as atechnological choice for the 3^(rd) generation of thermal imagers in the long wave infrared band(LWIR)for some time.Alternative technology like MCT(HgCdTe)was the technology choice of the 2^(nd) generation because of its high quantum efficiency.In the paper,measurements on the QWIP technology will be presented and a comparison with alternative technology will be done.