Novel quantum well, quantum dot, and superlattice heterostructure based infrared detectors

摘要

We report work on several quantum structure based infrared detectors. We describe the concept and experimental progress of the quantum well intra-subband photodetector (QWISP), which is closely related to the quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP), but uses the dopant-assisted intra-subband absorption mechanism in quantum wells for normal-incidence far infrared/terahertz radiation detection. We describe the concept of the submonolayer quantum dot infrared photodetector (SML QDIP), and report experimental device results on long-wavelength infrared detection, and imaging results from a mega-pixel focal plane arrays, which produced clear infrared images up to 80K. We discuss how superlattice heterostructures, particularly those using unipolar barriers, can offer significant performance advantages over homojunction superlattices in infrared detection. We also summary recent device results on a superlattice heterostructure based barrier infrared detectors (BIRDs).