ZnO/Au/ZnO Configuration for High Performance Multiband UV Photo-Detection

Abstract

A scalable configuration has been employed to advance the visible blind nature of ZnO-based UV detectors. The device with Au nanoparticles sandwiched between two ZnO layers, i.e., a ZnO/Au/ZnO configuration was found to be suitable for multiband, i.e., UV-A, B, C detection. The device has shown high UV to visible rejection ratio of 1.32 × 103 and UV to NIR rejection ratio of 8.79 × 103 with a photo-responsivity value of 10.64 AW-1 (at λex = 315 nm). The values for photo-detectivity, linear dynamic range, and external quantum efficiency were calculated to be ∼7.51 × 1012 cmHz1/2W-1, 78 dB and ∼4170%, respectively. It was perceived that insertion of Au plays a noteworthy role in the tuning of photo-responsivity, UV to a visible rejection ratio as well as to make ZnO suitable for multiband UV detection. © 2017 IEEE.