Substrate removal for improved performance of QWIP–LED devices grown on GaAs substrates

Pixelless infrared imaging can be accomplished by epitaxially integrating a light emitting diode (LED) with a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) large area device. The device acts as an infrared image converter by detecting a mid-to-far infrared (M/FIR) signal using the QWIP and outputting a near-infrared (NIR) signal via the integrated LED. By removing the device substrate, the detector performance can be significantly improved. This paper describes a substrate removal process, which uses a combination of mechanical polishing and chemical selective wet-etch. The choice of a suitable optical adhesive and the control of carrier/device parallelism are the two most important factors determining the success of the process.     

A surface plasmonic coupled mid-long-infrared two-color quantum cascade detector

A novel mid-long-infrared two-color photodetector is proposed. It combines quantum cascade detector (QCD) and surface plasmonic coupling structure. The reflection spectrum and electric field are analyzed by algorithm of finite difference time domain method (FDTD). This QCD is sensitive to 4.4 μm and 9.0 μm infrared light. Mid-infrared and long-infrared pixels are interlaced arranged with specific plasmonic micro-cavity structures integrated. 7.1 and 7 times enhancement in optical absorption are obtained for mid-infrared and long-infrared pixels, respectively. Besides, a polarization-discriminating detection performance has been observed.     

Towards dualband megapixel QWIP focal plane arrays

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024 × 1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NEΔT) of 17 mK at a 95 K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300 K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NEΔT of 13 mK at a 70 K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90 K and 70 K operating temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we have demonstrated MWIR and LWIR pixel co-registered simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays. In this paper, we will discuss the performance in terms of quantum efficiency, NEΔT, uniformity, operability, and modulation transfer functions of the 1024 × 1024 pixel arrays and the progress of dualband QWIP focal plane array development work.     

Band structure and impurity effects on optical properties of quantum well and quantum dot infrared photodetectors

We examined theoretically band structure and discrete dopant effects in the quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) and the quantum dot infrared photodetector (QDIP). We find that in QWIPs discrete dopant effects can induce long wavelength infrared absorption through impurity assisted intra-subband optical transitions. In QDIPs, we find that a strategically placed dopant atom in a quantum dot can easily destroy the symmetry and modify the selection rule. This mechanism could be partially responsible for normal incidence absorption observed in low-aspect-ratio quantum dots.     

Novel differentially strained p-doped quantum well infrared detector

We propose a differentially strained p-doped quantum well infrared (IR) photodetector that achieves high performance specifications. We examine key device and material considerations for such a detector for near 10 μm detection. We calculate that through differential strain, this novel detector has improved gain and substantially reduced dark current over previous quantum well IR photodetectors, while being able to detect normal incident light.     

The sub-monolayer quantum dot infrared photodetector revisited

The sub-monolayer quantum dot infrared photodetector (SML-QDIP) was proposed as an alternative to the standard QDIP based on Stranski–Krastanow (SK) quantum dots. Theoretical modeling indicates that the normal-incidence photo-response observed in the initial SML-QDIP devices, originally attributed to 3D quantum confinement effect, is most likely the result of optical cavity scattering. Modeling results also suggest candidate SML-QDIP structures with improved intrinsic normal incidence absorption.     

Review on multi gas detector using infrared spectral absorption technology

To provide some references for researchers engaged in infrared multi gas detection, this study introduced the infrared multi gas detection system thoroughly from infrared light source, infrared detector, optical multiplexing structure, and detection method. Currently, the coherent source represented by quantum cascade laser has replaced the traditional incoherent source like thermal radiant infrared light source and became the dominant light source in infrared multi gas detection. Accordingly, the infrared photodetector is widely used. The optical multiplexing structure based on the “multiplexing thought” is the core of infrared multi gas detection system. It mainly includes the single-source multiplex detection structure and multi-source multiplexing detection structure. Nondispersive infrared spectroscopy, long optical distance spectroscopy, wavelength/frequency modulation spectroscopy, cavity enhancement spectroscopy, and photoacoustic spectroscopy are major detection methods used in the infrared multi gas detection. This has important significance to many fields, such as industrial and agriculture production, environmental monitoring, life science, etc.     

The photodetector of Ge nanocrystals/Si for 1.55 μm operation deposited by pulsed laser deposition

The photodetector properties of a Ge nanocrystals detector fabricated by pulsed laser deposition and in situ rapid thermal annealing treatment at 600 °C have been studied. Strong optical absorption and photocurrent response of the detector are measured in the wavelength range 1.3-1.55 μm. The detector possesses a low dark current of 61.4 nA and a photocurrent responsivity of 56 mA/W at the reverse bias 5 V. The external quantum efficiency at 1.55 μm is estimated to be 15%. The stop wavelength of absorption spectra extends to 1.65 μm. It indicates that these kind of Ge nanocrystals devices can be used as a 1.3-1.55 μm near infrared detector.     

Quantum structures for multiband photon detection

The work describes multiband photon detectors based on semiconductor micro-and nano-structures. The devices considered include quantum dot, homojunction, and heterojunction structures. In the quantum dot structures, transitions are from one state to another, while free carrier absorption and internal photoemission play the dominant role in homo or heterojunction detectors. Quantum dots-in-a-well (DWELL) detectors can tailor the response wavelength by varying the size of the well. A tunnelling quantum dot infrared photodetector (T-QDIP) could operate at room temperature by blocking the dark current except in the case of resonance. Photoexcited carriers are selectively collected from InGaAs quantum dots by resonant tunnelling, while the dark current is blocked by AlGaAs/InGaAs tunnelling barriers placed in the structure. A two-colour infrared detector with photoresponse peaks at ∼6 and ∼17 μm at room temperature will be discussed. A homojunction or heterojunction interfacial workfunction internal photoemission (HIWIP or HEIWIP) infrared detector, formed by a doped emitter layer, and an intrinsic layer acting as the barrier followed by another highly doped contact layer, can detect near infrared (NIR) photons due to interband transitions and mid/far infrared (MIR/FIR) radiation due to intraband transitions. The threshold wavelength of the interband response depends on the band gap of the barrier material, and the MIR/FIR response due to intraband transitions can be tailored by adjusting the band offset between the emitter and the barrier. GaAs/AlGaAs will provide NIR and MIR/FIR dual band response, and with GaN/AlGaN structures the detection capability can be extended into the ultraviolet region. These detectors are useful in numerous applications such as environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis, battlefield-imaging, space astronomy applications, mine detection, and remote-sensing. The paper presented there appears in Infrared Photoelectronics, edited by Antoni Rogalski, Eustace L. Dereniak, Fiodor F. Sizov, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5957, 59570W (2005).     

Boundary conditions of continuum states in characterizing photocurrent of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetector

We study the optical transition between bound-to-continuum states in a GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) by analyzing three possible boundary conditions for the continuum states. Comparing with experimental results, it has been suggested that the Bloch-state boundary conditions are proper for continuum states in the QWIPs consisting of multiple quantum wells and the fine structures in the responsivity spectrum result from the energy dispersion relationship of the multiple quantum wells.     

量子点红外探测器在空间光电系统中的应用

为了更好地开发和利用空间资源,各国竞相通过向空间发射卫星、空间站、航天飞机等航天器来建立探测站点和通信网络以占据具有最大优势的位置,其中空间光电系统在探索新资源方面起到关键的作用.点对点的距离远、空间辐射强、温差较大等空间环境因素严重影响着光电系统性能的发挥,也向空间光电系统的稳定性和可靠性提出了挑战.本文提出将具有较高的探测灵敏度、工作温度、抗辐射能力和响应带宽的新型量子点红外探测器应用于空间光电系统,阐述了量子点红外探测器的基本工作原理和优点,并讨论了量子点红外探测器在空间应用的技术要求,分析了其在空间的激光雷达、卫星光通信和成像或者非成像系统中的应用.     

量子阱红外探测器的光耦合

本文从有效质量近似理论出发,在量子阱导带内子带间光吸收分析的基础上,评述了ｎ型量子阱红外探测器的光耦合。着重研究适宜于量子阱红外探测器的不同种类的光栅,并从理论上优化出高耦合效率的各种光栅参数     

Detector and readout performance goals for quantum well and strained layer superlattice focal plane arrays imaging under tactical and strategic backgrounds

Advancements in III–V semiconductor based, Quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP) and Type-II Strained-Layer Superlattice detector (T2SLS) technologies have yielded highly uniform, large-format long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) QWIP FPAs and high quantum efficiency (QE), small format, LWIR T2SLS FPAs. In this article, we have analyzed the QWIP and T2SLS detector level performance requirements and readout integrated circuit (ROIC) noise levels for several staring array long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) imaging applications at various background levels. As a result of lower absorption QE and less than unity photoconductive gain, QWIP FPAs are appropriate for high background tactical applications. However, if the application restricts the integration time, QWIP FPA performance may be limited by the read noise of the ROIC. Rapid progress in T2SLS detector material has already demonstrated LWIR detectors with sufficient performance for tactical applications and potential for strategic applications. However, significant research is needed to suppress surface leakage currents in order to reproduce performances at pixel levels of T2SLS FPAs.     

InAs/AlSb/GaSb量子阱中的双色光吸收

为了降低噪声对InAs/GaSb量子阱作为双色电探测器性能的影响,设计性能优良的光电探测器,在InAs/GaSb量子阱中加入AlSb夹层,以减少电子和空穴在界面处的复合,从而抑制由于电子和空穴复合引起的噪声。首先应用转移矩阵方法求解薛定谔方程得到量子阱中电子和空穴的能级和波函数,研究AlSb夹层对电子和空穴波函数的影响。应用平衡方程方法求解外加光场条件下的玻尔兹曼方程,研究所有电子和空穴跃迁通道对光吸收系数的贡献,重点研究了AlSb夹层厚度对光吸收系数的影响。结果表明:基于In As/GaSb的量子阱体系可以实现双色光吸收,加入AlSb夹层可以有效抑制电子和空穴在界面处的隧穿,从而降低复合噪声,同时AlSb夹层的加入也对吸收峰有影响。AlSb夹层的厚度达到2 nm即可有效降低电子和空穴复合噪声,双色光吸收峰在中远红外波段,为该量子阱作为性能良好的中远红外光电探测器提供理论支撑。     

Multi-color tunneling quantum dot infrared photodetectors operating at room temperature

Quantum dot structures designed for multi-color infrared detection and high temperature (or room temperature) operation are demonstrated. A novel approach, tunneling quantum dot (T-QD), was successfully demonstrated with a detector that can be operated at room temperature due to the reduction of the dark current by blocking barriers incorporated into the structure. Photoexcited carriers are selectively collected from InGaAs quantum dots by resonant tunneling, while the dark current is blocked by AlGaAs/InGaAs tunneling barriers placed in the structure. A two-color tunneling-quantum dot infrared photodetector (T-QDIP) with photoresponse peaks at 6 μm and 17 μm operating at room temperature will be discussed. Furthermore, the idea can be used to develop terahertz T-QD detectors operating at high temperatures. Successful results obtained for a T-QDIP designed for THz operations are presented. Another approach, bi-layer quantum dot, uses two layers of InAs quantum dots (QDs) with different sizes separated by a thin GaAs layer. The detector response was observed at three distinct wavelengths in short-, mid-, and far-infrared regions (5.6, 8.0, and 23.0 μm). Based on theoretical calculations, photoluminescence and infrared spectral measurements, the 5.6 and 23.0 μm peaks are connected to the states in smaller QDs in the structure. The narrow peaks emphasize the uniform size distribution of QDs grown by molecular beam epitaxy. These detectors can be employed in numerous applications such as environmental monitoring, spectroscopy, medical diagnosis, battlefield-imaging, space astronomy applications, mine detection, and remote-sensing.     

一种基于室温工作的量子点光电探测器的微光读出和应用研究

针对量子点光电探测器线列进行微光检测研究,量子点探测器采用AlAs/GaAs/AlAs双势垒结构,GaAs宽阱中分别有一个InAs量子点(QDs)和In_0.15Ga_0.85As量子阱(QW),建立一个简单的器件模型进行分析。常温下,在632.8 nm He-Ne激光照射下,当光功率为 0.01 pW时,器件偏压-0.5 V,积分时间80.2 μs,电压响应率达到7.0×1011 V·W-1,具有非常高的灵敏度,这种光电探测器在300 K温度下可以探测光功率小于10-14 W极弱光。以这种量子点光电探测器为核心研制的高灵敏度光谱仪和分子超光谱系统结合对生物组织样本进行检测,研制了一种图谱相互验证,互为校正的生物组织光谱测量系统。     

半导体红外量子点发展现状与前景

半导体量子点具有独特的光学与电学性质,特别是红外量子点良好的光稳定性和生物相容性等优点使其在光电器件、生物医学等领域受到广泛关注。综述了吸收或发射光谱位于红外波段的量子点在激光、能源、光电探测以及生物医学等方面的应用现状与前景,归纳了适用于红外量子点材料的制备方法,并对比了不同方法在应用中的优势。半导体红外量子点材料选择丰富、应用形式多样:InAs量子点被动锁模激光器在1.3 μm波长处产生7.3 GHz的近衍射极限脉冲输出;InAs/GaAs量子点双波长激光器可泵浦产生0.6 nW的THz波;PbS量子点掺杂光纤放大器可在1.53 μm中心波长处实现10.5 dB光增益,带宽160 nm;CdSeTe量子点敏化太阳能电池、异质结Si基量子点太阳能电池的总转换效率可达8%和14.8%;胶质HgTe量子点制成的量子点红外探测器(QDIP)可实现3 μm~5 μm中波红外探测,Ge/Si量子点可实现3 μm~7 μm红外探测;CdTe/ZnSe核壳量子点可用于检测DNA序列的损伤与突变。半导体红外量子点上述应用形式的发展,将进一步促进红外光电系统向高效、快速、大规模集成的方向演进,也将极大地促进临床医学中活体成像检测的应用推广。     

基于谐振腔增强型石墨烯光电探测器的设计及性能分析

提出了一种具有超薄有源层的谐振腔增强型石墨烯光电探测器的设计方法,利用谐振腔结构可以将光场限制在腔内,有效增强探测器的吸收.通过研究谐振腔内光场谐振条件及谐振模式下探测器响应度增强的机理,建立了驻波效应下谐振腔增强型石墨烯光电探测器光吸收模型,仿真分析谐振腔反射镜反射率、谐振腔腔长对于腔内光场增强器件性能的影响.理论分析表明,谐振腔增强型石墨烯光电探测器在850 nm处响应度可达0.5 A/W,相比无腔状态下提高了32倍;半高全宽为10 nm.采用谐振腔结构能够提高石墨烯光电探测器件的光电响应,为解决光电探测器响应度与响应速度之间的相互制约关系提供了途径.     

Sb-based IR photodetector epiwafers on 100 mm GaSb substrates manufactured by MBE

Antimony-based materials continue to provide great interest for infrared photodetector and focal plane array imaging applications. Detector architectures include InAs/Ga(In)Sb strained-layer superlattices, which create a type-II band alignment that can be tailored to cover a wide range of the mid- and long-wavelength bands by varying the thickness and composition of the constituent materials, and bulk InAsSb-based XBn barrier designs. These materials can provide desirable detector features such as wider wavelength range, suppression of tunneling currents, improved quantum efficiency, and higher operating temperatures. In order to bring these advantages to market, a reliable manufacturing process must be established on large diameter substrates. We report our latest work on the molecular beam epitaxy growth of Sb-detector epiwafers on 100 mm diameter GaSb substrates in a multi-wafer production format. The growth process has been established to address the challenges of these demanding structures, including the large numbers of alternating thin layers and mixed group-V elements. Various characterization techniques demonstrate excellent surface morphology, crystalline structure quality, and optical properties of the epiwafers. The measured wafer-to-wafer consistency and cross-wafer uniformity demonstrate the potential for volume manufacturing.     

The optical responsivity in IR-photodetector based on armchair graphene nanoribbons with p–i–n structure

Armchair graphene nanoribbons (A-GNRs) are an alternative material to use in novel infrared photodetectors, because of their tunable energy gap in the infrared spectrum, and their high quantum efficiency. In this paper, an A-GNR p–i–n structure with all three structural families, different width, and different number of layers to use in IR detectors have been investigated. With calculating the band structure and energy gap using the tight-binding model and by including the edge deformation, the optical absorption in the single electron approximation has been obtained by calculating the optical conductance. Finally, we have calculated the quantum efficiency and the optical responsivity of A-GNR based IR photodetector as a function of incident photon energy, temperature, nanoribbon width and the number of layers. Results show that the responsivity of the A-GNR based IR photodetector increase by increasing the width and number of layers and decrease by increasing the temperature.