Fundamental Physics of Carbon-based Nanyhybrids for High-performance Infrared and Ultraviolet Detection
Abstract
Carbon-based nanostructures including nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have superior electronic, optoelectronic and mechanical properties, which provide tremendous opportunities for designs of novel optoelectronic devices of extraordinary performance in addition to the benefits of low cost, large abundance, and light weight. Our recent demonstrations of uncooled infrared detectivity D* of 3.4x109 cm?Hz1/2/W on individual multiwall CNT infrared detectors with asymmetric Schottky contacts, D* of 2.3x108 cm?Hz1/2/W in a photoconductor based on semiconductive singe-wall CNTs and conjugated semiconductor Poly(3-hexylthiophene) polymer (s-SWCNT/P3HT) nanohybrid thin films, photoconductive gain up to 108 together with fast photoresponse on graphene field effect transistor with GaSe-nanosheets sensitizer, and responsivity ~1.62 A/W?V on the ZnO nanowire/graphene hybrid ultraviolet detectors, highlight a few examples developed under our prior ARO support and illustrate fresh opportunities in exploration of nanohybrids between carbon nanostructures and other functional materials targeting at unprecedented physical properties demanded for high-performance photodetection. The proposed research builds upon the discoveries made through our prior ARO project, but aims to take it to the next level of high-performance photonic devices through atomistic interface design of exciton dissociation and charge transfer at the interfaces of nanohybrids through a thorough understanding of the fundamental physics governing the optoelectronic behaviors. Two topics are proposed. Topic 1 will further explore IR detection using nanohybrid thin films of s-SWCNT with P3HT and cytochrome c biomolecules for high quantum efficiencies. Topic 2 will investigate nanohybrids between graphene and nanostructured photonic and plasmonic sensitizers for high photoconductive gain, fast response and high-efficiency light-to-electric coupling. The two topics will be conducted in parallel during the 36 month project period. Specifically, the first 12 months will be dedicated to projects described in Section 3.11 and 3.2.1 followed with 6 months for manuscript/patent preparation. The study on projects described in Sections 3.1.2 and 3.2.2 will be completed in the 12 months afterwards and summary of the results, in the following 6 months. Besides high performance and low cost, the proposed nanohybrid approach also has the advantage in its compatibility with Si-based readout circuits with micro/nanofabrication schemes employed for scaling up the proposed devices. Technology transfer for commercialization will be an emphasis of the proposed research. The overall goal of this project is to achieve a thorough understanding of the basic physics underlying the photodetection and to develop higher-performance carbon-based nanohybrid photodetectors for uncooled infrared and ultraviolet detection to meet ArmyÕs requirements of high sensitivity, light weight, and low cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1610029
Entities
People
- Judy Z. Wu
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Kansas