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Progress in infrared photodetectors since 2000
Chandler Downs1, Thomas E Vandervelde
1Renewable Energy and Applied Photonics Laboratories, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Tufts University, 161 College Ave., Medford, MA 02115, USA.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 18, 2013
Summary
Infrared photodetector technology rapidly advanced in the 21st century, with quantum-based detectors outperforming traditional InSb and HgCdTe systems. Future research focuses on further developing these advanced quantum photodetectors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Optoelectronics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- The early 21st century witnessed significant advancements in infrared (IR) photodetector technology.
- Traditional Indium Antimonide (InSb) and Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HgCdTe) detectors dominated commercial IR systems.
- These established technologies showed incremental improvements but were surpassed by newer quantum-based approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of IR photodetector technologies over the past decade.
- To compare the current performance and advantages of different IR detector systems.
- To discuss future research directions and potential advancements in the field.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of infrared photodetector research from the early 2000s to the present.
- Comparative analysis of performance metrics for various photodetector types, including InSb, HgCdTe, Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors (QDIPs), DWELL-IPs, and Superlattice (SLS)-based photodetectors.
- Synthesis of current trends and expert opinions on the future trajectory of IR photodetector development.
Main Results:
- Quantum-based photodetectors (QWIPs, QDIPs, DWELL-IPs, SLS-based) have shown more substantial development than traditional InSb and HgCdTe detectors.
- These quantum structures offer unique advantages and are driving innovation in IR detection.
- Ongoing research focuses on enhancing sensitivity, operating temperature, and spectral range for these advanced systems.
Conclusions:
- Quantum-based photodetectors represent the forefront of IR technology, offering superior performance and versatility.
- Continued research and development are expected to yield further breakthroughs in areas like high-performance imaging and sensing.
- The field is rapidly evolving, with leading research groups exploring novel materials and device architectures for next-generation IR detectors.
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