Plasmon-enhanced mid-infrared luminescence from polar and lattice-structure-mismatched CdTe/PbTe single heterojunctions

摘要

We propose by exploring CdTe/PbTe single heterojunctions (SHs) that the abnormal enhancement of mid-infrared light emission from CdTe/PbTe heterostructures is due to coupling with surface plasmons. It is discovered that the observed intense mid-infrared luminescence in the SHs comes from the inherent polar interface character and coupling of surface plasmons localized at the metallic CdTe/PbTe interface to light emitted from the narrow gap PbTe. The finding offers an approach to manipulate mid-infrared light and to fabricate improved mid-infrared optoelectronic devices.