Irradiation Response of Graphene Enhanced Gallium Nitride Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Ultraviolet Photodetectors

Abstract

ABSTRACTRadiation-tolerant materials, sensors and electronics can enable lightweight space subsystems with reduced packaging requirements and increased operation lifetimes. Such technology can be used within extreme harsh environments related to space exploration, radiation medicine and power generation (combustion and nuclear). Gallium nitride (GaN), a ceramic semiconductor material, is a candidate material due to its stability within high-radiation, high-temperature and chemically corrosive environments. In addition, the wide bandgap of GaN (3.4 eV) can be leveraged for ultraviolet (UV) wavelength photodetection. In metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector architectures using Schottky contacts, transparent electrodes (e.g., graphene) can increase sensitivity and improve overall device response. Here we present fabrication and characterization of GaN-based UV photodetectors using graphene electrodes irradiated up to 200 krad total ionizing dose (TID) then tested under UV light and dark conditions. For current-voltage measurements taken at 90, 120 and 200 krad TID, the current-voltage response does not vary significantly. From 90 to 120 krad TID, the responsivity shifts by 2% before dropping off at 200 krad TID. These initial findings suggest that graphene/GaN MSM UV photodetectors can provide robust operation within extreme harsh environments.