Picosecond Time Resolution with Avalanche Amorphous Selenium.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Traditional crystalline photodetectors have limitations in production yield, efficiency, and operational scope.
• Amorphous selenium exhibits unique photosensing properties, mimicking crystalline photoconductors through hot carrier transport and impact ionization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel amorphous selenium detector utilizing nanopillars.
• To achieve enhanced temporal performance and picosecond timing jitter for ultrafast photodetection applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a multiwell amorphous selenium detector using nanopillars.
• Experimental demonstration of avalanche gain and unipolar time-differential charge sensing.
• Characterization of temporal performance and timing jitter.

Main Results:

• The fabricated selenium detector achieved avalanche gain and unipolar time-differential charge sensing.
• Temporal performance was improved by nearly 4 orders of magnitude.
• Picosecond timing jitter was achieved, suitable for ultrafast applications.

Conclusions:

• The novel amorphous selenium detector offers a viable low-cost, high-yield alternative for picosecond photodetection and imaging.
• The unique properties of amorphous selenium enable significant advancements in ultrafast sensing.
• This technology opens new possibilities for various high-speed optical applications.