Modeling selective narrowband light absorption in coaxial InAs-GaAs0.1Sb0.9 nanowires with partial shell segment coverage

Vertical III-V nanowire (NW) arrays are promising candidates for infrared (IR) photodetection applications. Generally, NWs with large diameters are required for efficient absorption in the IR range. However, increasing the NW diameter results in a loss of spectral selectivity and an enhancement in the photodetector dark current. Here, we propose a nanophotonic engineering approach to achieving spectrally-selective light absorption while minimizing the volume of the absorbing medium. Based on simulations performed using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) techniques, we demonstrate dramatic tunability of the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light absorption properties of InAs NWs with base segments embedded in a reflective backside Au layer and with partial GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell segment coverage. Use of a backside reflector results in the generation of a delocalized evanescent field around the NW core segment that can be selectively captured by the partially encapsulating GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell layer. By adjusting the core and shell dimensions, unity absorption can be selectively achieved in the 2 to 3 mu m wavelength range. Due to the transparency of the GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell segments, wavelength-selective absorption occurs only along the InAs core segments where they are partially encapsulated. The design presented in this work paves the path toward spectrally-selective and polarization-dependent NW array-based photodetectors, in which carrier collection efficiencies can be enhanced by positioning active junctions at the predefined locations of the partial shell segments.

Automated summary

Vertical III-V nanowire arrays are potential candidates for infrared photodetection applications. We propose a nanophotonic engineering approach to achieve spectrally-selective light absorption while minimizing the volume of the absorbing medium. By adjusting the core and shell dimensions, unity absorption can be selectively achieved in the 2 to 3 μm wavelength range.