A route to high gain photodetectors through suppressed recombination in disordered films

Philippa, Bronson, White, Ron, and Pivrikas, Almantas (2016) A route to high gain photodetectors through suppressed recombination in disordered films. Applied Physics Letters, 109 (15). 153301. pp. 1-4.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Download (776kB) | Preview
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4963705
 
3
1120


Abstract

Secondary photocurrents offer an alternative mechanism to photomultiplier tubes and avalanche diodes for making high gain photodetectors that are able to operate even at extremely low light conditions. While in the past secondary currents were studied mainly in ordered crystalline semiconductors, disordered systems offer some key advantages such as a potentially lower leakage current and typically longer photocarrier lifetimes due to trapping. In this work, we use numerical simulations to identify the critical device and material parameters required to achieve high photocurrent and gain in steady state. We find that imbalanced mobilities and suppressed, non-Langevin-type charge carrier recombination will produce the highest gain. A low light intensity, strong electric field, and a large single carrier space charge limited current are also beneficial for reaching high gains. These results would be useful for practical photodetector fabrication when aiming to maximize the gain.

Item ID: 46303
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1077-3118
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2016 00:21
FoR Codes: 40 ENGINEERING > 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware > 400909 Photonic and electro-optical devices, sensors and systems (excl. communications) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 1120
Last 12 Months: 97
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page