Copper Tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ): A Metal-Organic Semiconductor for Room-Temperature Visible to Long-Wave Infrared Photodetection

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared (MWIR and LWIR) detection play vital roles in applications that include health care, remote sensing, and thermal imaging. However, detectors in this spectral range often require complex fabrication processes and/or cryogenic cooling and are typically expensive, which motivates the development of simple alternatives. Here, we demonstrate broadband (0.43-10 mu m) room-temperature photo-detection based on copper tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ), a metal-organic semiconductor, synthesized via a facile wet-chemical reaction. The CuTCNQ crystals are simply drop-cast onto interdigitated electrode chips to realize photo-conductors. The photoresponse is governed by a combination of interband (0.43-3.35 mu m) and midgap (3.35-10 mu m) transitions. The devices show response times (similar to 365 mu s) that would be sufficient for many infrared applications (e.g., video rate imaging), with a frequency cutoff point of 1 kHz.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates a broadband room-temperature photo-detection method based on CuTCNQ, which is simple, affordable, and has potential applications.