Nanoscale quantum dot photodetectors with high integratability for nanophotonic integrated circuits

目的：该计划的目的是展示新的纳米光电探测器，具有高灵敏度和带宽的纳米光子集成电路。该方法利用自组装或溶液过程中的纳米间隙电极的量子点，以实现与各种纳米光子组件的高制造集成性。等离子体激元效应和新的制造工艺，以减少隧道势垒的公司进行了探索，以提高灵敏度和bandwidth.Intellectual优点：这项研究将展示新的设计和制造的纳米级量子点光电探测器，可以很容易地纳入nanophotonic器件集成。该器件结构利用集中的高电场来增强效率和电荷传输。优化量子点沉积的化学和条件的研究将为提高速度提供一条途径，这是量子点设备的一个主要挑战。利用等离子体激元来集中光场和提高量子效率将有助于解决纳米光子学中的光耦合问题。 如果成功，该研究将为完全集成的纳米光子光电探测提供第一个解决方案。更广泛的影响：不断增长的纳米光子学领域增加了对更快、更小、更灵敏的片上光电检测的需求。鉴于纳米光子学中材料和制造工艺的差异，具有完全制造可集成性的纳米级光电探测器尚未得到证明。这项研究的成功可能会对纳米光子集成电路和更广泛的光学计算，通信和传感领域产生变革性的影响。这项研究还将为研究生和本科生提供令人兴奋的多学科培训机会，并通过多样性发展，教育和推广活动对社会产生更广泛的影响。

Objective: The objective of this program is to demonstrate new nanoscale photodetectors with high sensitivity and bandwidth for nanophotonic integrated circuits. The approach exploits self-assembly or solution-process of nanocrystal quantum dots in nanogap electrodes to achieve high fabrication integratability with varieties of nanophotonic components. Incorporation of plasmonic effects and new fabrication processes to reduce tunneling barriers are explored to enhance sensitivity and bandwidth.Intellectual merit: This research will demonstrate new design and fabrication of nanoscale quantum dot photodetectors that can be readily incorporated into nanophotonic device integration. The device structure utilizes concentrated high electric field for enhanced efficiency and charge transport. The research on optimizing chemistry and conditions for quantum dot deposition will offer a route to increased speed, a major challenge for quantum dot devices. The utility of plasmonics to concentrate optical field and enhance quantum efficiency will help addressing the prevailing question of optical coupling in nanophotonics. If successful, the research will provide a first solution to fully integratable nanophotonic photodetection. Broader impact: The growing field of Nanophotonics has increased the demand for faster, smaller, and more sensitive on-chip photodetection. Given the divergence in materials and fabrication processes in nanophotonics, a nanoscale photodetector with full fabrication integratability has yet to be demonstrated. Success of this research could have a transformative impact in nanophotonic integrated circuits and broader fields of optical computing, communications and sensing. This research will also provide exciting multidisciplinary training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, and lead to broader impact to the society through diversity development, education and outreach activities.