Colloidal HgTe Material for Low-Cost Detection into the MWIR

We report on HgTe colloidal-based quantum-dot mid-infrared (IR) photodetectors. We demonstrate tuning the cutoff wavelength of this detector from the near IR up to 7 mu m. Responsivity values of films of HgTe nanoparticles a few hundred nanometers thick are in the 100 mA W-1 range even at room temperature. The detectivity of this film is limited by large 1/f noise. Time responses as short as 200 ns are achieved.