Ultrasensitive and high-speed AlGaN/AlN solar-blind ultraviolet photodetector: a full-channel-self-depleted phototransistor by a virtual photogate

Abstract

High sensitivity, high solar rejection ratio, and fast response are essential characteristics for most practical applications of solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) detectors. These features, however, usually require a complex device structure, complicated process, and high operating voltage. Herein, a simply structured n-AlGaN/AlN phototransistor with a self-depleted full channel is reported. The self-depletion of the highly conductive n-AlGaN channel is achieved by exploiting the strong polarization-induced electric field therein to act as a virtual photogate. The resulting two-terminal detectors with interdigital Ohmic electrodes exhibit an ultrahigh gain of 1.3 × 10 5 , an ultrafast response speed with rise/decay times of 537.5 ps/3.1 μs, and an ultrahigh Johnson and shot noise (flicker noise) limited specific detectivity of 1.5 × 10 18 ( 4.7 × 10 16 ) Jones at 20-V bias. Also, a very low dark current of the order of ∼ pA and a photo-to-dark current ratio of above 10 8 are obtained, due to the complete depletion of the n - Al 0.5 Ga 0.5 N channel layer and the high optical gain. The proposed planar phototransistor combines fabrication simplicity and performance advantages, and thus is promising in a variety of UV detection applications.