High-performing visible-blind photodetectors based on SnO2/CuO nanoheterojunctions

Published

December 14, 2015

Author(s)

Ratan K. Debnath, Ting Xie, MD R. Hasan, Nhan V. Nguyen, Abhishek Motayed

Abstract

We report on the significant performance enhancement of SnO2 thin film ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) through incorporation of CuO/SnO2 pn nanoscale heterojuctions. The nanoheterojunctions are self-assembled by sputtering Cu clusters that oxidize in ambient to form CuO. We attribute the performance improvements to enhanced UV absorption, demonstrated both experimentally and using optical simulations, and electron transfer facilitated by the nanoheterojunctions. The peak responsivity of the PDs at a bias of 0.2 V improved from 1.9 A/W in a SnO2-only device to 10.3 A/W after CuO deposition. The photoresponse factor, defined as the wavelength-dependent ratio between the light and dark current, was estimated to be ~592 for the SnO2-CuO PD at 290 nm. The morphology, distribution of nanoparticles, and optical properties of the SnO2-CuO nanoheterojunction thin films are also investigated.

Citation

Applied Physics Letters

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Photodetector, heterojunction

Citation

Debnath, R. , Xie, T. , Hasan, M. , Nguyen, N. and Motayed, A. (2015), High-performing visible-blind photodetectors based on SnO2/CuO nanoheterojunctions, Applied Physics Letters (Accessed October 14, 2025)