1/f Noise QWIPs and nBn detectors

The low-frequency noise is a ubiquitous phenomenon and the spectral power density of this fluctuation process is inversely proportional to the frequency of the signal. We have measured the 1/f noise of a 640 × 512 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA) with 6.2 μm peak wavelength. Our experimental observations show that this QWIP FPA’s 1/f noise corner frequency is about 0.1 mHz. With this kind of low frequency stability, QWIPs could unveil a new class of infrared applications that have never been imagined before. Furthermore, we present the results from a similar 1/f noise measurement of bulk InAsSb absorber (lattice matched to GaSb substrate) nBn detector array with 4.0 μm cutoff wavelength.     

nBn型InAsSb探测器的材料及器件研究

nBn型红外探测器可有效抑制产生-复合电流,进而提高探测器的工作温度。由于制备工艺可移植于III/V族成熟工艺以及存在晶格完全匹配的衬底等优势,InAsSb/AlAsSb材料是nBn型红外探测器的首选。简单介绍了InAsSb/AlAsSb nBn型红外探测器的研究现状、工作原理以及近期的研究成果。通过生长试验实现了良好的材料表面质量、晶体质量和光学性能。相关结果表明,在制备器件时,nBn结构中势垒层的掺杂浓度不应低于8×1016cm-3,否则就不利于减小nBn型器件的暗电流。     

Mid-infrared InAsSb-based nBn photodetectors with AlGaAsSb barrier layers – Grown on GaAs,using an interfacial misfit array,and on native GaSb

InAsSb-based nBn photodetectors were fabricated on GaAs, using the interfacial misfit (IMF) array growth mode, and on native GaSb. At −0.1 V operating bias, 200 K dark current densities of 1.4 × 10⁻⁵ A cm⁻² (on GaAs) and 4.8 × 10⁻⁶ A cm⁻² (on GaSb) were measured. At the same temperature, specific detectivity (D^*) figures of 1.2 × 10¹⁰ Jones (on GaAs) and 7.2 × 10¹⁰ Jones (on GaSb) were calculated. Arrhenius plots of the dark current densities yielded activation energies of 0.37 eV (on GaAs) and 0.42 eV (on GaSb). These values are close to the 4 K bandgap of the absorption layers (0.32–0.35 eV) indicating diffusion limited dark currents and small valence band offsets. Significantly, these devices could be used for mid-infrared focal plane arrays operating within the temperature range of cost-effective thermoelectric coolers.     

nBn型InAs/GaSbⅡ类超晶格红外探测器光电特性研究

设计了nBn结构的InAs/GaSb II类超晶格红外探测器,从理论和实验两方面对nBn器件的暗电流特性进行了研究,研究结果表明：理论计算的暗电流和实际测试结果趋势一致。另外,研制了p-i-n结构器件并与nBn器件进行了比较,测试结果显示：在77 K温度下,nBn器件的暗电流要比p-i-n器件暗电流小2个量级。温度升高到150 K时,nBn器件暗电流变大2个量级,而p-i-n器件暗电流变大4个量级;nBn器件峰值探测率下降到1/5,p-i-n器件峰值探测率下降2个量级。可见nBn器件适合高温工作,适合高性能红外焦平面探测器的研制。     

nBn InAsSb/AlAsSb中波红外探测器的设计

对nBn势垒型InAsSb/AlAsSb中波红外探测器材料进行了系统深入的理论研究.通过理论计算势垒层的厚度、组分和掺杂等结构参数对器件能带结构、暗电流和光电流的影响,分析了势垒性的温度特性、器件输运特性,揭示了nBn势垒型中波红外探测器高温工作的机制,探索降低器件暗电流的方法.完成nBn势垒型锑化物材料系统的优化设计,为高温工作的锑化物中波红外探测器研制提供理论基础和支持.     

Design and modelling of high-operating temperature MWIR HgCdTe nBn detector with n- and p-type barriers

The paper present the numerical analysis of the electrical and optical properties of the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) HgCdTe nBn type detectors with a 3.4 μm cut-off wavelength (at 50% of the initial rise in the response) operating at 230 K. The analysed n⁺/B/n/N⁺ structure consists of four HgCdTe layers with n- and p-type barriers. Different structural parameters, as well as compositional and dopant profiles obtained in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) techniques were modelled with emphasis on conduction band and valence band-offset which determines the proper construction of the nBn type devices. The barrier must prevent the flow of the electron current from the cap region to the absorber while simultaneously ensure the flow and collection of thermally and optically generated holes from the absorber to the cap region. It was shown that proper p-type doping of the barrier reduce the valence band-offset and increase the offset in the conduction band leading to the optimal detector architecture.Theoretical results were related to the experimental data of the MWIR n⁺/B/n/N⁺ photodetectors grown by MOCVD. Dark currents of the first fabricated devices are limited by undesirable iodine diffusion from cap layer to the barrier. However, the nBn architecture might be a promising solution for HgCdTe infrared detectors grown by MOCVD, mainly due to the possibility of in situ acceptor doping of the barrier.     

nBn红外探测器研究进展

nBn红外探测器旨在消除肖特基-里德-霍尔产生复合电流,这将有效降低器件的暗电流并提高工作温度.由于制造工艺的兼容性和晶格匹配的衬底的存在,基于III-V化合物(包括二类超晶格材料)的nBn红外探测器得到了快速发展.通过理论模拟,基于HgCdTe材料的nBn红外探测器也能有效抑制暗电流.然而,去除价带势垒的困难阻碍了H...     

Sb基nBn型红外探测器发展现状

nBn结构红外探测器具有可消除SRH产生-复合电流和表面复合电流,实现高温工作等优点,从提出就备受全球多个研究机构青睐,并已经得到组件验证。锑基nBn结构红外探测器发展尤其迅速,已经在技术上得到突破,部分产品已经获得应用,红外探测器组件最高工作温度达150 K以上。本文从nBn结构锑基红外探测器工作原理、结构优势和国外发展现状等方面对该研究方向进行了综述报道,为高工作温度、高性能红外焦平面探测器发展提供了较好方向。