title: An opto-electro-mechanical infrared photon detector with high internal gain at room temperature.
abstract: Many applications require detectors with both high sensitivity and linearity, such as low light level imaging and quantum computing. Here we present an opto-electro-mechanical detector based on nano-injection and lateral charge compression that operates at the short infrared (SWIR) range. Electrical signal is generated by photo-induced changes in a nano-injector gap, and subsequent change of tunneling current. We present a theoretical model developed for the OEM detector, and it shows good agreement with the measured experimental results for both the mechanical and electrical properties of the device. The device shows a measured responsivity of 276 A/W, equivalent to 220 electrons per incoming photon, and an NEP of 3.53 x 10(-14) W/Hz(0.5) at room temperature. Although these results are already competing with common APDs in linear mode, we believe replacing the AFM tip with a dedicated nano-injector can improve the sensitivity significantly.
authors.affiliation: Bio-Inspired Sensors and Optoelectronics Laboratory (BISOL), EECS, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohoutek
authors.forename: Ivy Yoke Leng
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Omer Gokalp
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Memis
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohseni
mesh_terms: D004583:Electrons; D004867:Equipment Design; D008027:Light; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015233:Models, Statistical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods; D017785:Photons; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature