Radial GaInP/AlGaInP nanowire array light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are promising candidates for novel high-efficiency solid state lighting due to their potentially large strain-free active emission volumes compared to planar LEDs. Moreover, by proper tuning of the diameter of the nanowires, the fraction of emitted light extracted can be significantly enhanced compared to that of planar LEDs. Reports so far on radial growth of nanowire LED structures, however, still point to significant challenges related to obtaining defect-free radial heterostructures. In this work, we present evidence of optically active growth-induced defects in a fairly broad energy range in vertically processed radial GaInP/AlGaInP quantum well nanowire array LEDs using a variety of complementary experimental techniques. In particular, we demonstrate strong infrared electroluminescence in a spectral range centred around 1 eV (1.2 μm) in addition to the expected red light emission from the quantum well. Spatially resolved cathodoluminescence studies reveal a patchy red light emission with clear spectral features along the NWs, most likely induced by variations in QW thickness, composition and barriers. Dark areas are attributed to infrared emission generated by competing defect-assisted radiative transitions, or to trapping mechanisms involving non-radiative recombination processes. Possible origins of the defects are discussed. © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd

Avalanche photodetectors (APDs) are key components in optical communication systems due to their increased photocurrent gain and short response time as compared to conventional photodetectors. A detector design where the multiplication region is implemented in a large band gap material is desired to avoid detrimental Zener tunneling leakage currents, a concern otherwise in smaller band gap materials required for absorption at 1.3/1.55 μm. Self-assembled III-V semiconductor nanowires offer key advantages such as enhanced absorption due to optical resonance effects, strain-relaxed heterostructures, and compatibility with mainstream silicon technology. Here, we present electrical and optical characteristics of single InP and InP/InAsP nanowire APD structures. Temperature-dependent breakdown characteristics of p⁺-n-n⁺ InP nanowire devices were investigated first. A clear trap-induced shift in breakdown voltage was inferred from I-V measurements. An improved contact formation to the p⁺-InP segment was observed upon annealing, and its effect on breakdown characteristics was investigated. The band gap in the absorption region was subsequently varied from pure InP to InAsP to realize spatially separate absorption and multiplication APDs in heterostructure nanowires. In contrast to the homojunction APDs, no trap-induced shifts were observed for the heterostructure APDs. A gain of 12 was demonstrated for selective optical excitation of the InAsP segment. Additional electron-beam-induced current measurements were carried out to investigate the effect of local excitation along the nanowire on the I-V characteristics. Simulated band profiles and electric field distributions support our interpretation of the experiments. Our results provide important insight for optimization of avalanche photodetector devices based on III-V nanowires. © 2017 American Chemical Society

Nanowire array ensembles contacted in a vertical geometry are extensively studied and considered strong candidates for next generations of industrial scale optoelectronics. Key challenges in this development deal with optimization of the doping profile of the nanowires and the interface between nanowires and transparent top contact. Here we report on photodetection characteristics associated with doping profile variations in InP nanowire array photodetectors. Bias-dependent tuning of the spectral shape of the responsivity is observed which is attributed to a Schottky-like contact at the nanowire-ITO interface. Angular dependent responsivity measurements, compared with simulated absorption spectra, support this conclusion. Furthermore, electrical simulations unravel the role of possible self-gating effects in the nanowires induced by the ITO/SiO_x wrap-gate geometry. Finally, we discuss possible reasons for the observed low saturation current at large forward biases.  

Here we report on the experimental results and advanced self-consistent real device simulations revealing a fundamental insight into the non-linear optical response of n+-i-n+ InP nanowire array photoconductors to selective 980 nm excitation of 20 axially embedded InAsP quantum discs in each nanowire. The optical characteristics are interpreted in terms of a photogating mechanism that results from an electrostatic feedback from trapped charge on the electronic band structure of the nanowires, similar to the gate action in a field-effect transistor. From detailed analyses of the complex charge carrier dynamics in dark and under illumination was concluded that electrons are trapped in two acceptor states, located at 140 and 190 meV below the conduction band edge, at the interface between the nanowires and a radial insulating SiOx cap layer. The non-linear optical response was investigated at length by photocurrent measurements recorded over a wide power range. From these measurements were extracted responsivities of 250 A W-1 (gain 320)@20 nW and 0.20 A W-1 (gain 0.2)@20 mW with a detector bias of 3.5 V, in excellent agreement with the proposed two-trap model. Finally, a small signal optical AC analysis was made both experimentally and theoretically to investigate the influence of the interface traps on the detector bandwidth. While the traps limit the cut-off frequency to around 10 kHz, the maximum operating frequency of the detectors stretches into the MHz region. © The Royal Society of Chemistry

Semiconductor nanowire (NW) technology has emerged as a key facilitator of novel optoelectronics e.g. solar cells, photodetectors and LEDs. The functional wavelength range of current NW-based photodetectors is typically limited to the visible/ near-infrared region. In this work, we present the first ever reported electrical and optical characteristics of longwavelength IR photodetectors based on large square millimeter ensembles of vertically grown and processed InAsP/InP heterostructure NWs grown on InP substrates1 . More specifically, the MOVPE-grown NWs comprise single or multiple InAsP quantum discs (QDiscs) axially embedded in an n+-i-n+ geometry. The NWs are contacted together in a vertical geometry by uniformly depositing a thin insulating SiO2 layer, selective etching of the oxide from the tip of the NWs followed by sputtering of ITO as a common top contact to all NWs. Using Fourier transform photocurrent spectroscopy, we demonstrate a photoresponse extending from the visible to far infrared1,2. In particular, the infrared response from 3-20 μm is enabled by intersubband transitions in the lowbandgap InAsP quantum discs synthesized axially within the InP NWs. The detector elements exhibit an unexpected sensitivity to normal incident radiation, apparently in contradiction to well-known selection rules for intersubband transitions in quantum wells. From in-depth 2D and 3D optical simulations we attribute this result to an excitation of the longitudinal component of optical modes in the photonic crystal formed by the nanostructured portion of the detectors. Key advantages with the proposed design include a large degree of freedom in choice of material compositions, enhanced optical resonance effects due to periodically ordered NW arrays and the compatibility with silicon substrates. We believe that our novel detector design offers a route towards monolithic integration of compact and sensitive broadband III-V NW detectors with main-stream silicon technology which could seriously challenge existing commercially available photodetectors.

Nanowires offer remarkable opportunities for realizing new optoelectronic devices because of their unique fundamental properties. The ability to engineer nanowire heterostructures with large bandgap variations is particularly interesting for technologically important broadband photodetector applications. Here we report on infrared photodetectors based on arrays of InP nanowires with embedded InAsP quantum discs. We demonstrate a strongly reduced dark current in the detector elements by compensating the unintentional n-doping in the nominal intrinsic region of the InP nanowires by in-situ doping with Zn, a crucial step towards realizing high-performance devices. The optimized array detectors show a broad spectral sensitivity at normal incidence for wavelengths from visible to far-infrared up to 20 μm, promoted by both interband and intersubband transitions. Optical simulations show that the unexpected normal incidence response at long wavelengths is due to non-zero longitudinal modes hosted by the nanowires. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Semiconductor nanowires have great potential for realizing broadband photodetectors monolithically integrated with silicon. However, the spectral range of such detectors has so far been limited to selected regions in the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared. Here, we report on the first intersubband nanowire heterostructure array photodetectors exhibiting a spectrally resolved photoresponse from the visible to long-wavelength infrared. In particular, the infrared response from 3-20 mm is enabled by intersubband transitions in low-bandgap InAsP quantum discs synthesized axially within InP nanowires. The intriguing optical characteristics, including unexpected sensitivity to normal incident radiation, are explained by excitation of the longitudinal component of optical modes in the photonic crystal formed by the nanostructured portion of the detectors. Our results provide a generalizable insight into how broadband nanowire photodetectors may be designed, and how engineered nanowire heterostructures open up new fascinating opportunities for optoelectronics.

Nanowire semiconductors are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, photodetectors and lasers due to their quasi-1D geometry and large surface to volume ratio. The functional wavelength range of NW-based detectors is typically limited to the visible/near-infrared region. In this work, we present electrical and optical properties of novel IR photodetectors based on large square millimeter ensembles (>1million) of vertically processed semiconductor heterostructure nanowires (NWs) grown on InP substrates which operates in longer wavelengths. InP NWs comprising single or multiple (20) InAs/InAsP QDics axially embedded in an n-i-n geometry, have been grown on InP substrates using MOVPE. The NWs are contacted in vertical direction by ALD deposition of 50 nm SiO₂ as an insulating layer followed by sputtering of ITO and evaporation of Ti and Au as top contact layer. In order to extend the sensitivity range to the mid-wavelength and long-wavelength regions, the intersubband transition within conduction band of InAsP QDisc is suggested. We present first experimental indications of intersubband photocurrent in NW geometry and discuss important design parameters for realization of intersubband detectors. Key advantages with the proposed design include large degree of freedom in choice of materials compositions, possible enhanced optical resonance effects due to periodically ordered NW arrays and the compatibility with silicon substrates. We believe that our novel detector design offers the route towards monolithic integration of compact and sensitive III-V NW long wavelength detectors with Si technology.

The possibility to engineer nanowire heterostructures with large bandgap variations is particularly interesting for technologically important broadband photodetector applications. Here we report on a combined study of design, fabrication, and optoelectronic properties of infrared photodetectors comprising four million n+–i–n+ InP nanowires periodically ordered in arrays. The nanowires were grown by metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy on InP substrates, with either a single or 20 InAsP quantum discs embedded in the i-segment. By Zn compensation of the residual n-dopants in the i-segment, the room-temperature dark current is strongly suppressed to a level of pA/NW at 1 V bias. The low dark current is manifested in the spectrally resolved photocurrent measurements, which reveal strong photocurrent contributions from the InAsP quantum discs at room temperature with a threshold wavelength of about 2.0 μm and a bias-tunable responsivity reaching 7 A/W@1.38 μm at 2 V bias. Two different processing schemes were implemented to study the effects of radial self-gating in the nanowires induced by the nanowire/SiOx/ITO wrap-gate geometry. Summarized, our results show that properly designed axial InP/InAsP nanowire heterostructures are promising candidates for broadband photodetectors. © 2017 American Chemical Society.

High-performance photodetectors operating in the near-infrared (0.75−1.4 μm) and short-wave infrared (1.4−3.0 μm) portion ofthe electromagnetic spectrum are key components in many optical systems.Here, we report on a combined experimental and theoretical study of squaremillimeter array infrared photodetectors comprising 3 million n⁺−i−n⁺ In Pnanowires grown by MOVPE from periodically ordered Au seed particles. Thenominal i-segment, comprising 20 InAs_0.40P_0.60 quantum discs, was grown byuse of an optimized Zn doping to compensate the nonintentional n-doping.The photodetectors exhibit bias- and power-dependent responsivities reachingrecord-high values of 250 A/W at 980 nm/20 nW and 990 A/W at 532 nm/60nW, both at 3.5 V bias. Moreover, due to the embedded quantum discs, thephotoresponse covers a broad spectral range from about 0.70 to 2.5 eV, ineffect outperforming conventional single InGaAs detectors and dual Si/Gedetectors. The high responsivity, and related gain, results from a novel proposed photogating mechanism, induced by the complex charge carrier dynamics involving optical excitation and recombination in the quantum discs and interface traps, which reduces the electron transport barrier between the highly doped n⁺ contact and the i-segment. The experimental results obtained are in perfect agreement with the proposed theoretical model and represent a significant step forward toward understanding gain in nanoscale photodetectors and realization of commercially viable broadband photon detectors with ultrahigh gain. © 2019 American Chemical Society.

Core–shell nanowires offer great potential to enhance the efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and expand the attainable wavelength range of LEDs over the whole visible spectrum. Additionally, nanowire (NW) LEDs can offer both improved light extraction and emission enhancement if the diameter of the wires is not larger than half the emission wavelength (λ/2). However, AlGaInP nanowire LEDs have so far failed to match the high efficiencies of traditional planar technologies, and the parameters limiting the efficiency remain unidentified. In this work, we show by experimental and theoretical studies that the small nanowire dimensions required for efficient light extraction and emission enhancement facilitate significant loss currents, which result in a low efficiency in radial NW LEDs in particular. To this end, we fabricate AlGaInP core–shell nanowire LEDs where the nanowire diameter is roughly equal to λ/2, and we find that both a large loss current and a large contact resistance are present in the samples. To investigate the significant loss current observed in the experiments in more detail, we carry out device simulations accounting for the full 3D nanowire geometry. According to the simulations, the low efficiency of radial AlGaInP nanowire LEDs can be explained by a substantial hole leakage to the outer barrier layer due to the small layer thicknesses and the close proximity of the shell contact. Using further simulations, we propose modifications to the epitaxial structure to eliminate such leakage currents and to increase the efficiency to near unity without sacrificing the λ/2 upper limit of the nanowire diameter. To gain a better insight of the device physics, we introduce an optical output measurement technique to estimate an ideality factor that is only dependent on the quasi-Fermi level separation in the LED. The results show ideality factors in the range of 1–2 around the maximum LED efficiency even in the presence of a very large voltage loss, indicating that the technique is especially attractive for measuring nanowire LEDs at an early stage of development before electrical contacts have been optimized. The presented results and characterization techniques form a basis of how to simultaneously optimize the electrical and optical efficiency of core–shell nanowire LEDs, paving the way to nanowire light emitters that make true use of larger-than-unity Purcell factors and the consequently enhanced spontaneous emission. © 2017American Chemical Society