title: Electrical Detection of Quantum Dot Hot Electrons Generated via a Mn2+-Enhanced Auger Process.
abstract: An all-solid-state quantum-dot-based photon-to-current conversion device is demonstrated that selectively detects the generation of hot electrons. Photoexcitation of Mn2+-doped CdS quantum dots embedded in the device is followed by efficient picosecond energy transfer to Mn2+with a long-lived (millisecond) excited-state lifetime. Electrons injected into the QDs under applied bias then capture this energy via Auger de-excitation, generating hot electrons that possess sufficient energy to escape over a ZnS blocking layer, thereby producing current. This electrically detected hot-electron generation is correlated with a quench in the steady-state Mn2+luminescence and the introduction of a new nonradiative excited-state decay process, consistent with electron-dopant Auger cross-relaxation. The device's efficiency at detecting hot-electron generation provides a model platform for the study of hot-electron ionization relevant to the development of novel photodetectors and alternative energy-conversion devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Barrows
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rinehart
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagaoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Dane W
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3837-422X
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: deQuilettes
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer I L
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: David S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9759-5447
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ginger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2888-9916
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gamelin