p-GaN-i-GaN/AlGaN multiple-quantum well n-AlGaN back-illuminated ultraviolet detectors

Abstract

The spectral response of back-surface-illuminated p-GaN-i-GaN/AlGaN multiple-quantum well (MQW)-n-AlGaN ultraviolet (UV) photodetector is reported. The structure was grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on a c-plane sapphire substrate. A MQW is introduced into the active region of the device to enhance the quantum efficiency caused by the high absorption coefficient of the two-dimensional (2-D) system. Another advantage of using MQW in the active region is the ability to tune the cutoff wavelength of the photodetector by adjusting the well width, well composition, and barrier height. The zero-bias peak responsivity was found to be 0.095 A/W at 330 nm, which corresponds to 36% quantum efficiency from as-grown p-i-n GaN/AlGaN MQW devices. An anomalous effect, occurring in responsivity as a negative photoresponse in the spectra peaked at 362 nm because of poor ohmic contact to p-type GaN, was also observed. Etching the sample in KOH for 30 sec before fabrication removed the surface contaminants and improved the surface smoothness of the as-grown sample, resulting in significant improvement in the device performance, giving a peak responsivity of 0.12 A/W. The device has a quantum efficiency of 45% at 330 nm without the anomalous negative photocurrent.