Solution-processed optoelectronic devices: investigating and controlling materials parameters for enhanced performance

半导体是信息时代的基础。计算机在硅片上运行。互联网的光纤主干使用InGaAsP激光器产生的光束。数码相机将图像记录在可见光的硅传感器中，或者需要红外夜视时的InGaAs光电探测器阵列中。与Pure一样，完美的晶体是当今许多半导体技术的基础。然而，生长单晶半导体的设备成本很高，其操作也是如此，特别是考虑到经常需要危险的试剂。我们最近已经证明，自旋投射红外光学传感器可以比它们的完美单晶传感器性能更好。现在，通过本提案，我们寻求加深对溶液处理光电子器件的操作的理解；并利用这种理解通过合理的控制来提高器件的性能。我们将提出并实验验证我们的溶液处理光电探测器内部响应性和噪声的来源的模型；演示通过材料加工对材料的结构和电子性能的实验控制；并使用这种控制来展示针对特定应用导向目标的光电探测器性能的合理工程。总而言之，我们将追求材料化学、工艺和器件物理，使其能够实现为特定应用量身定做的高产量、一致的光电子器件。在科学层面上，这项研究将对胶体量子点块状材料和表面的受控操纵产生洞察力。在应用层面上，这项研究将导致用于成像的记录性能设备(一个用于可见光波长视频帧速率操作，另一个用于夜视应用)。该项目将通过其产生的见解，为我们在溶液处理光电探测器技术商业化方面的平行活动提供基础性的科学支持。

Semiconductors are the foundation of the information age. Computers run on silicon. The Internet's fiber-optic backbone uses beams of light generated in InGaAsP lasers. Digital cameras register images in silicon sensors for visible light, or InGaAs photodetector arrays when infrared night vision is needed.    Pure, perfect crystals are the basis of much of today's semiconductor technology. However, the equipment to grow single-crystal semiconductors is costly, as is its operation, especially in view of the dangerous reagents that are often required.    We propose herein to advance our work in solution-processed optoelectronics. We have recently shown that spin-cast infrared optical sensors can outperform their perfectly single-crystal counterparts. Now we seek, through the present proposal, to deepen understanding of the operation of solution-processed optoelectronic devices; and to use this understanding to improve device performance through rational control.    We will put forth and experimentally validate a model of the origins of responsivity and noise inside our solution-processed photoconductive photodetectors; demonstrate experimental control, through materials processing, over the structural and electronic properties of materials; and use this control to demonstrate rational engineering of photodetector performance towards to specific application-oriented goals.    In sum, we will pursue the materials chemistry, processing, and device physics to make it practical to achieve high-yielding, consistent, optoelectronic devices tailored to particular applications. At a scientific level, the research will yield insights into the controlled manipulation of colloidal quantum dot bulk materials and surfaces. At an applied level, the research will lead to record-performance devices (one for visible-wavelength video-frame-rate operation, the other tailored to night-vision applications) for imaging. The project will, through the insights it generates, also provide foundational scientific support to our parallel activity in the commercialization of our solution-processed photodetector technology.