Broadband ultraviolet photodetector based on rare-earth metal oxide Nd2O3

Abstract

Abstract The detection of ultraviolet (UV) radiation holds significant importance in various fields. As the demand for superior detector performance grows alongside advancements in science and technology, there is a need for detectors with larger light-to-dark rejection ratios and lower standby power consumption. This paper presents the outstanding performance of the rare earth metal oxide Nd2O3 in broadband UV detection. With a wide forbidden band width of 4.6 eV, eliminating the requirement for additional filters, Nd2O3 emerges as an ideal material for broadband UV detectors. The device exhibits remarkable characteristics, including a dark current of only 1.66 × 10−11 A at a 5 V bias voltage, a light-to-dark rejection ratio of 1.33 × 103 at 280 nm and 15 μW cm−2, a responsiveness of 0.061 A W−1, and a detection rate of 4.7 × 1012 Jones. Furthermore, the performance of the device can be significantly enhanced through the formation of a heterojunction with TiO2. The heterojunction device exhibits a shortened response time of 78.64%, a reduced recovery time of 88.97%, and an increased light-to-dark rejection ratio of 2.75 × 103 at a 5 V bias voltage. This significant improvement in performance highlights the potential of the Nd2O3/TiO2 heterojunction in broadband UV detection.