Low-cost and efficient all group-IV visible/shortwave infrared dual-band photodetector

Abstract

Low-cost broadband photodetectors (PDs) based on group-IV materials are highly demanded. Herein, a vertical all group-IV graphene-i-n (Gr-i-n) structure based on sputtering-grown undoped Ge0.92Sn0.08/Ge multiple quantum wells (MQWs) on n-Ge substrate was proposed to realize efficient visible/shortwave infrared (VIS/SWIR) dual-band photoresponse. Harnessing Gr-germanium tin (GeSn)/Ge MQWs van der Waals heterojunctions, an extended surface depletion region was established, facilitating separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers at VIS wavelengths. Consequently, remarkable VIS/SWIR dual-band response ranging from 400 to 2000 nm with a rapid response time of 23 μs was achieved. Compared to the PD without Gr, the external quantum efficiency at 420, 660, and 1520 nm was effectively enhanced by 10.2-, 5.2-, and 1.2-fold, reaching 40, 42, and 50%, respectively. This research paves the way for the advancement of all group-IV VIS/SWIR broadband PDs and presents what we believe to be a novel approach to the design of low-cost broadband PDs.