Colloidal quantum dot photodetectors

We review recent progress in light sensors based on solution-processed materials. Spin-coated semiconductors can readily be integrated with many substrates including as a post-process atop CMOS silicon and flexible electronics. We focus in particular on visible-, near-infrared, and short-wavelength infrared photodetectors based on size-effect-tuned semiconductor nanoparticles made using quantum-confined PbS, PbSe, Bi2S3, and In2S3. These devices have in recent years achieved room-temperature D* values above 10(13) Jones, while fully-depleted photodiodes based on these same materials have achieved MHz response combined with 10(12) Jones sensitivities. We discuss the nanoparticle synthesis, the materials processing, integrability, temperature stability, physical operation, and applied performance of this class of devices. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.