Comparative study between different quantum infrared photodetectors

This paper presents a theoretical analysis for the dark current characteristics of different quantum infrared photodetectors. These quantum photodetectors are quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIP), quantum wire infrared photodetectors (QRIP), and quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP). Mathematical models describing these devices are introduced. The developed models accounts for the self-consistent potential distribution. These models are taking the effect of donor charges on the spatial distribution of the electric potential in the active region. The developed model is used to investigate the behavior of dark current with different values of performance parameters such as applied voltage, number of quantum wire (QR) layers, QD layers, lateral characteristic size, doping quantum wire density and temperature. It explains strong sensitivity of dark current to the density of QDs/QRs and the doping level of the active region. In order to confirm our models and their validity on the practical applications, a comparison between the results obtained by proposed models and that experimentally published are conducted and full agreement is observed. Several performance parameters are tuned to enhance the performance of these quantum photodetectors through the presented modeling. The resultant performance characteristics and comparison among them are presented in this work. From the obtained results we notice that the total dark current in the QRIPs can be significantly lower than that in the QWIPs. Moreover, main features of the QRIPs such as the large gap between the induced photocurrent and dark current open the way for overcoming the problems of quantum dot infrared photodetectors.     

Investigation of the quantum dot infrared photodetectors dark current

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) are more efficient than other types of semiconductor based photodetectors; so it has become an actively developed field of research. In this paper quantum dot infrared photodetector dark current is evaluated theoretically. This evaluation is based on the model that was developed by Ryzhii et al. Here it is assumed that both thermionic emission and field-assisted tunneling mechanisms determine the dark current of QDIPs; moreover we have considered Richardson effect, which has not been taken into account in previous research. Then a new formula for estimating average number of electrons in a quantum dot infrared photodetector is derived. Considering the Richardson effect and field-assisted tunneling mechanisms in the dark current improves the accuracy of algorithm and causes the theoretical data to fit better in the experiment. The QDIPs dark current temperature and biasing voltage dependency, contribution of thermionic emission and field-assisted tunneling at various temperatures and biasing voltage in the QDIPs dark current are investigated. Moreover, the other parameter effects like quantum dot (QD) density and QD size effect on the QDIPs dark current are investigated.     

Comparison studies of infrared photodetectors with a quantum-dot and a quantum-wire base

This paper mainly presents a theoretical analysis for the characteristics of quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) and quantum wire infrared photodetectors (QRIPs). The paper introduces a unique mathematical model of solving Poisson’s equations with the usage of Lambert W functions for infrared detectors’ structures based on quantum effects. Even though QRIPs and QDIPs have been the subject of extensive researches and development during the past decade, it is still essential to implement theoretical models allowing to estimate the ultimate performance of those detectors such as photocurrent and its figure-of-merit detectivity vs. various parameter conditions such as applied voltage, number of quantum wire layers, quantum dot layers, lateral characteristic size, doping density, operation temperature, and structural parameters of the quantum dots (QDs), and quantum wires (QRs). A comparison is made between the computed results of the implemented models and fine agreements are observed. It is concluded from the obtained results that the total detectivity of QDIPs can be significantly lower than that in the QRIPs and main features of the QRIPs such as large gap between the induced photocurrent and dark current of QRIP which allows for overcoming the problems in the QDIPs. This confirms what is evaluated before in the literature. It is evident that by increasing the QD/QR absorption volume in QDIPs/QRIPs as well as by separating the dark current and photocurrents, the specific detectivity can be improved and consequently the devices can operate at higher temperatures. It is an interesting result and it may be benefit to the development of QDIP and QRIP for infrared sensing applications.     

Performance investigations of quantum dot infrared photodetectors

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) have already attracted more and more attention in recent years due to a high photoconductive gain, a low dark current and an increased operating temperature. In the paper, a device model for the QDIP is proposed. It is assumed that the total electron transport and the self-consistent potential distribution under the dark conditions determine the dark current calculation of QDIP devices in this model. The model can be used for calculating the dark current, the photocurrent and the detectivity of QDIP devices, and these calculated results show a good agreement with the published results, which illustrate the validity of the device model.     

Photoconductivity of Ge/Si quantum dot photodetectors

Various structures of self-assembled Ge/Si quantum dot infrared photodetectors were implemented and investigated. The electronic structure of the QDIPs was studied by electrical and optical techniques including I–V characteristics, dark current, photoconductivity, photoluminescence, and photo-induced infrared absorption. The photoconductive spectra consist of a broad multi-peak, composed of peaks ranging from 70 to 220 meV. Their relative intensity changes with bias. Comparative dark current measurements were performed. Dark current limits the performance of this first generation of Ge/Si QDIPs. It is plausible that direct doping in the dot layer is a viable way of reducing the dark current.     

Optimization of a non-cryogenic quantum infrared detector

A study of the optimization of the detectivity of a mid-infrared double heterostructure photovoltaic detector is proposed. Simple approximate analytic expressions for the dark current are compared with full numerical calculations, and provide a physical insight into the mechanisms dominating the dark current. The analysis is performed step by step, from a simple p–n junction to the full double heterostructure. The influence of temperature, barrier band gap energy in a double heterostructure, doping density in the active region, on diffusion and generation–recombination mechanisms is analyzed. It is finally shown how the performances of a double heterostructure photovoltaic detector can be improved by controlled doping of the active region.     

Temperature dependent responsivity of quantum dot infrared photodetectors

Temperature dependent behavior of the responsivity of InAs/GaAs quantum dot infrared photodetectors was investigated with detailed measurement of the current gain. The current gain varied about two orders of magnitude with 100 K temperature change. Meanwhile, the change in quantum efficiency is within a factor of 10. The dramatic change of the current gain is explained by the repulsive coulomb potential of the extra carriers in the QDs. With the measured current gain, the extra carrier number in QDs was calculated. More than one electron per QD could be captured as the dark current increases at 150 K. The extra electrons in the QDs elevated the Fermi level and changed the quantum efficiency of the QDIPs. The temperature dependence of the responsivity was qualitatively explained with the extra electrons.     

Low-frequency noise characteristics of InGaAs quantum-dot infrared photodetector structures grown by atomic layer molecular-beam epitaxy

Optical and electrical characteristics of n–i–n InGaAs/GaAs quantum-dot (QD) infrared photodetectors are reported. In particular, the low-frequency excess electrical noise is measured at room temperature and analyzed in conjunction with the optical properties of the structure. The three stackings of QD were formed by atomic layer molecular-beam epitaxy and highly Si-doped, and AlGaAs current-blocking layer was also included to reduce the dark current. The power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra at 300 K indicates that there are at least three confined states in the QD. The photo-current was observed only at low temperatures (10 K) at wavelengths between 3 and 9 μm with three peaks. The dark current was relatively large and asymmetric at low temperatures. At room temperature the dark current was symmetric and ohmic. The 1/f-like low-frequency noise spectral density exhibited an almost quadratic current dependence giving a large value of the Hooge parameter of the order of unity. The relatively low-growth temperature for the AlGaAs current blocking layer and the high doping at the quantum dots seem to generate a considerable amount of defects and result in low-temperature photodetection and a large low-frequency noise density.     

Detection wavelength and device performance tuning of InAs QDIPs with thin AlGaAs layers

QDIPs with thin inserted AlGaAs layers adjacent to the QDs were investigated for the tailoring of detection wavelength and device performance. Simple InAs/GaAs QDIPs and DWELL QDIPs with different insertion layer structure were studied. The thin AlGaAs layer is shown to effectively modify the electron wavefunction and associated confined state energies which lead to the change of the detection wavelength and the polarization dependent quantum efficiency. Furthermore, the dark current and conductive gain also change with different device structures. The insertion of AlGaAs layers provides an additional freedom of tuning the electronics states involved in the infrared detection and also enables the improvement of the absorption and device performance.     

Review of current progress in quantum dot infrared photodetectors

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) have made significant progress after their early demonstration about a decade ago. We review the progress made by QDIP technology over the last few years and compare QDIPs with quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs). It is shown that the performance of QDIPs has significantly improved using novel architectures such as dots‐in‐a‐well designs, and large‐format (1 K × 1 K) focal plane arrays have been realized. However, even though there are significant reports of performance parameters better than QWIPs from single‐pixel devices, QDIP‐based focal plane arrays are still a factor of 3–5 worse in terms of noise equivalent temperature difference. We discuss the reasons for the performance gap and the key scientific and technological challenges that need to be addressed to achieve the full potential of QD‐based technology.     

Optimization, design and fabrication of a non-cryogenic quantum infrared detector

A study of the optimization of the detectivity of a mid infrared double heterostructure photovoltaic detector is proposed. Simple approximate analytic expressions for the dark current are compared with full numerical calculations, and give physical insight on the mechanisms dominating the dark current. The analysis is performed step by step, from a simple p–n junction to the full double heterostructure. The influence of temperature, barrier band gap energy in a double heterostructure, doping density in the active region, on diffusion and generation–recombination mechanisms is analyzed. It is shown how the performances of a double heterostructure photovoltaic detector can be improved by a controlled doping the active region. Nevertheless, its development is still limited by the difficulties occurring during device processing. For example, the use of dry etching for the processing of InAs_0.91Sb_0.09 p–i–n photovoltaic detectors induces a strong leakage current along the mesa edge. In this letter, we show an improvement of the R₀A characteristic by several orders of magnitude at low temperature by using an Ion Beam Etching (IBE) followed by a wet chemical etching. This optimized and reliable device processing allows us to demonstrate that the detector performance is actually limited by the diffusion current of holes. Finally, we discuss the ability of an n-type barrier made of InAs/AlSb super-lattice to avoid hole diffusion and to improve the R₀A characteristic of these detectors. To cite this article: B. Vinter et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).     

Characteristics and developments of quantum-dot infrared photodetectors

Quantum dots infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) theoretically have several advantages compared with quantum wells infrared photodetectors (QWIPs). In this paper, we discuss the theoretical advantages of QDIPs including the normal incidence response, lower dark current, higher responsivity and detectivity, etc. Recent device fabrication and experiment results in this field are also presented. Based on the analysis of existing problems, some approaches that would improve the capability of the device are pointed out.     

Characteristics analysis of quantum wire infrared photodetectors under both dark and illumination conditions

This paper presents a theoretical analysis for the characteristics of quantum wire infrared photodetectors (QRIPs). Mathematical model describing this device is introduced. Maple 4 software is used to device this model. The developed model is used to investigate the behavior of the device with different values of performance parameters such as number of quantum wire layers, lateral characteristic size, and temperature. The modeling results are validated against experimental published work and full agreements are obtained. Several performance parameters are tuned to enhance the performance of these quantum photodetectors through the presented modeling. The resultant performance characteristics and comparison among both quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) and QRIPs are presented in this work. From the obtained results we notice that the total dark current in the QRIPs can be significantly lower than that in the QWIPs. Moreover, main features of the QRIPs such as the large gap between the induced photocurrent and dark current open the way for overcoming the problems of quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs).     

ELECTRON TRANSPORT BEHAVIOURS IN THE NITROGEN DIRECT CURRENT GLOW DISCHARGE

A Monte Carlo simulation is presented to describe the electron transport behaviours in the nitrogen direct current glow discharge. The energy and angular distributions of the electrons at different positions of the cathode dark space are calculated; their energy and density distribution features throughout the entire discharge are discussed. The influence of molecular vibrational excitation, typical for electron－molecule collisions, has been studied and the elementary process of active species generation has been illustrated. The simulated results reveal that, in the cathode dark space, the high-energy electrons are mainly forward scattering and behave as a high-energy ‘electron beam'. The sharp increase of the number of secondary electrons plays an important role in producing active species at the interface between the cathode dark space and the negative glow region. The vibrational excitation enhances the energy loss of electrons in the negative glow region.     

量子点红外探测器的特性与研究进展

半导体材料红外探测器的研究一直吸引人们非常广泛的兴趣．以量子点作为有源区的红外探测器从理论上比传统量子阱红外探测器具有更大的优势．文章讨论了量子点红外探测器几个重要的优点，包括垂直入射光响应、高光电导增益、更低的暗电流、更高的响应率和探测率，等等．此外，报道了量子点红外探测器研究中一些最新的实验结果．在此基础上，分析了现存问题，并提出了进一步提高器件性能的几种可能途径．     

A broadband external cavity tunable InAs/GaAs quantum dot laser by utilizing only the ground state emission

A broadband external cavity tunable laser is realized by using a broad-emitting spectral InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) gain device. A tuning range of 69 nm with a central wavelength of 1056 nm, is achieved at a bias of 1.25 kA/cm2 only by utilizing the light emission from the ground state of QDs. This large tunable range only covers the QD ground-state emission and is related to the inhomogeneous size distribution of QDs. No excited state contributes to the tuning bandwidth. The application of the QD gain device to the external cavity tunable laser shows its immense potential in broadening the tuning bandwidth. By the external cavity feedback, the threshold current density can be reduced remarkably compared with the free-running QD gain device.     

纳米FinFET器件的单粒子效应研究(英文)

Fin FET器件比主流CMOS技术表现出更多优势,如快速、高集成度、低功耗、多功能性和强扩展性,基于ISE TCAD,考虑迁移率、量子效应、载流子重组、辐射效应等的影响,建立了一种纳米Fin FET器件SEE的3D仿真模型。分析了工艺掺杂浓度、栅压、粒子能量、寄生电容及技术节点等对单粒子瞬态电流的影响,并探讨了其影响机制。基于此分析,找到了一些潜在的工艺加固技术,如降低源极掺杂浓度、增加漏极和衬底的掺杂浓度、减少粒子能量、降低栅压、优化寄生电容等。     

Si/Ge/Si异质横向SPiN二极管固态等离子体解析模型

采用横向表面PiN(SPiN)二极管构造的硅基可重构天线具有众多优于传统天线的独特优势, 是实现天线小型化和提升雷达与微波通信系统性能的有效技术途径. 本文提出一种Si/Ge/Si异质横向SPiN二极管, 并基于双极扩散模型与Fletcher型边界条件, 在大注入条件下建立了二极管结电压、电流密度与本征区固态等离子体浓度分布解析模型, 并数值模拟分析了本征区长度、P⁺与N⁺区掺杂浓度、外加电压对所建模型的影响. 结果表明, 固态等离子体浓度随本征区长度的增加下降, 随外加电压的增加而指数上升, 随P⁺与N⁺区掺杂浓度的提高而上升, 电流密度随外加电压的增加而指数上升. 同等条件下, 异质SPiN二极管的固态等离子体浓度相比同质二极管提高近7倍以上. 本文所建模型为硅基可重构天线的设计与应用提供有效的参考.     

Structure optimisation of modern GaAs-based InGaAs/GaAs quantum-dot VCSELs for optical fibre communication

Room-temperature (RT) continuous-wave (CW) performance of modern 1300-nm oxide-confined In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum-dot (QD) vertical-cavity surface-emitting diode lasers (VCSELs) taking advantage of many QD sheets is investigated using our comprehensive self-consistent simulation model to suggest their optimal design. Obviously, quantum dots should be as uniform as possible and as dense as possible to ensure high enough optical gain. Besides, our simulation reveals that efficient and uniform current injection into VCSEL active regions necessary to enhance excitation of the desired fundamental LP₀₁ mode is accomplished in the VCSEL configuration with the broad-area bottom contact and the ring upper one as well as with the oxide aperture localized within the first period of the upper p-type DBR. The doping of the DBR mirrors is chosen as a compromise between their high enough electrical conductivity and low enough free-carrier absorption. The oxide aperture is additionally introducing the radial optical waveguiding. Moreover, our analysis has been concluded that VCSEL active regions should be composed of at least 9 QD sheets to acquire efficient RT CW operation. Furthermore, rather longer optical cavities are recommended in this case because localization of QD sheets should be adjusted to the anti-node positions of the optical cavity standing wave.