High-performance dual-mode ultra-thin broadband CdS/CIGS heterojunction photodetector on steel.

An ultra-thin CdS/CIGS heterojunction photodiode fabricated on steel firstly exhibits dual-mode broadband photodetection from ultraviolet to near infrared spectrum. In the photovoltaic mode, the CIGS photodiode, working as a self-driven photodetector, shows an outstanding photodetection capability (under a light power density of 20 µW cm-2 at 680 nm), reaching a record detectivity of ∼4.4×1012 Jones, a low noise equivalent power (NEP) of 0.16 pW Hz-1/2 and a high Ilight/Idark ratio of ∼103, but a relatively low responsivity of ∼0.39 A W-1 and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of ∼71%. Working under the same illumination but in the photoconductive mode (1 V reverse bias), the responsivity and EQE are significantly enhanced to 1.24 A W-1 and 226%, respectively, but with a relatively low detectivity of 7×1010 Jones and a higher NEP of 10.1 pW Hz-1/2. To explain these results, a corrected photoconductive gain (G) model indicates that minority electrons could be localized in the defects, surface states and depletion region of the CIGS photodiode, causing excess hole accumulation in the ultra-thin CIGS photodiode and thus high EQE over 100% (G over 1).

High-responsivity broadband photodetection of an ultra-thin In2S3/CIGS heterojunction on steel.

${\rm{Cu}}({\rm{In}},{\rm{Ga}}){\rm{S}}{{\rm{e}}_2}$ (CIGS) is a promising light harvesting material for large-area broadband photodetection, but it has been rarely studied up to now. Here an In2S3/CIGS heterojunction photodiode on steel is shown to be highly broadband photo-sensitive, with a photoresponsivity over 0.8 A/W, an external quantum efficiency over 100%, and a detectivity over 8×1010 Jones from 505 to 910nm under a reverse bias of 1 V. Moreover, the CIGS photodiode exhibits an outstanding weak light detection ability (i.e., at light power density of ${{20}}\;\unicode{x00B5} {\rm{W/c}}{{\rm{m}}^2}$), reaching a record responsivity of 2.06 A/W, an impressive EQE of 293%, and a good detectivity of ${2.3} \times {{1}}{{{0}}^{11}}$ Jones at 870 nm under 1 V reverse bias. Importantly, the CIGS photodiode, working as a self-powered photodetector, under 0 V, shows a record detectivity of ${\sim}{3.4} \times {{1}}{{{0}}^{12}}$ Jones with a high responsivity of ${\sim}{0.44}\;{\rm{A/W}}$ and a high EQE of ${\sim}{{63}}\%$, at 870 nm.