Development of High-Sensitivity Nitride Solar-Blind Detectors and Detector Arrays Using Low-Dislocation-Density Nitride Surfaces

Abstract

This work explored the application of III-V nitride semiconductors for optical detectors in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy was used to synthesize thin film p-i-n photodiode structures on double side polished sapphire substrates. These structures were fabricated into photodiode devices using generally accepted techniques for dry etching and p and n-contact metallizations. Test devices were characterized which demonstrated quantum efficiencies as high as 80%. along with extremely low dark currents; resulting in photodiode spectral detectivities as large as 6*10(exp 13) cmHz(exp 1/2)/W. Devices were designed and demonstrated for a series of detection regions ranging from 365 nm to 250 nm. Photodiode arrays were also fabricated and flip-chip bonded to silicon readout integrated circuits (ROICs) to form the basis of visible-blind and solar-blind UV digital cameras. These UV-specific digital arrays were tested using focal plane array hardware and software obtained from SE-IR, Inc.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA411053

Entities

People

  • J. F. Schetzina

Organizations

  • North Carolina State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cameras
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Digital Cameras
  • Efficiency
  • Electronics
  • Electronics Industry
  • Focal Plane Arrays
  • Focal Planes
  • Modules (Electronics)
  • Optical Detectors
  • Optoelectronic Devices
  • Photodetectors
  • Photodiodes
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Readout Integrated Circuits
  • Semiconductors

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Quantum Computing