SWIR Detectors with Integrated CEP, Bipolar, and FET Gains
Abstract
The objective of the proposed research is to explore and demonstrate innovative SWIR detectors with high operation speed, low bias voltage, low cost, room temperature operation, and above all, high sensitivity capable of detecting single photons.The research is built upon the cycling excitation process (CEP) discovered and demonstrated a few years ago by PI???s group. As an internal physical mechanism to amplify weak signals such as photocurrent at much higher efficiency and lower noise than any known mechanisms, the discovery of CEP effect is a major scientific accomplishment in condensed matter physics and holds promise to transform the fields of optical imaging and communication.The proposed research takes advantage of the unique characteristics of the CEP effect, in combination with other mechanisms for signal amplification and light matter interactions, to address key technology concerns for uncooled SWIR detectors. The research is particularly focused on development of effective methods to incorporate the CEP effect into practical devicesto produce high performance, scalable designs for next generation SWIR detectors. Among the main challenges include technologies that can support efficient electron transport over the ordered/disordered material interface since ordered, crystalline materials are efficient for photon absorption but both theory and experiment have suggested that the CEP effect is strongest in disordered materials such as amorphous semiconductors. Innovative approaches have been proposed to solve the carrier transport problem over the heterointerface between ordered and disordered materials. The proposed research is expected to bring a physical mechanism of unique properties to a state that can be applied to various devices, especially photodetectors for imaging, of broad DoD and commercial interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812486
Entities
People
- Yu-Hwa Lo
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego