Nanogap quantum dot photodetectors with high sensitivity and bandwidth

We report high-performance nanoscale photodetectors utilizing annealed nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) within a nanoscale metal electrode gap. By optimizing the nanogap size and fabrication process, the device demonstrates a significantly better sensitivity (noise equivalent power = 7.76 x 10(-14) W/Hz(1/2)) and bandwidth (>= 125 kHz) than previously reported nanoscale photodetectors. Furthermore, by utilizing a lateral photoconduction structure and a self-assembled layer of QDs, the detector fabrication is highly compatible with many substrates and device architectures. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3356224]