Narrow spectral response schottky photodiodes

Area of Science:

• Semiconductor physics
• Optoelectronics
• Photodiode analysis

Background:

• Schottky photodiodes exhibit unique characteristics influencing their spectral response.
• Optical absorption in semiconductors generates minority carriers, crucial for photodiode operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend Spicer's absorption diffusion model for analyzing Schottky photodiodes.
• To investigate the factors influencing the spectral response of minimally depleted Schottky photodiodes.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the absorption diffusion model to account for Schottky photodiode specifics.
• Analysis of spectral response dependence on absorption coefficient variation, region thickness (T), and diffusion length (l).

Main Results:

• Spectral response magnitude and shape are sensitive to the rate of change of the absorption coefficient with wavelength.
• Narrow spectral response is observed only in regions of rapid absorption coefficient change.
• The device demonstrates potential for high quantum efficiency combined with sharp spectral tuning.

Conclusions:

• The extended model accurately describes spectral response in Schottky photodiodes.
• Optimizing material properties and device design can yield highly tunable, efficient photodetectors.
• Rapidly changing absorption coefficients are key to achieving narrow spectral responses.