Theoretical study on photoemission of double-layer AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs nanocone array photocathode

Abstract

In the design of photocathode, the internal electric field could be formed due to the graded Al compositional [Formula: see text] nanostructure, which can improve the top surface emission probability of carriers. In this paper, [Formula: see text] nanostructure array photocathode composed of two sub-layers is presented. Based on the finite element method, the influence of graded geometrical parameters on their optoelectronic characteristics is investigated. The results show that when the thickness of the sublayer is equal, the difference of the Al composition between the two sublayers of nanostructure is larger, the sub-layers are less, and the quantum efficiency is higher. The light capture ability of the photocathode can be enhanced by increasing the thickness and the array spacing of the first sublayer. Compared with the hexagonal cross-section structure, the light trapping effect and spectral response of the circular cross-section structure are better.