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We comprehensively study the characteristics of dark current for a p-i-n heterostructure photodiode. To reduce the dark current, a wide-bandgap layer (AlGaSb) and thin quaternary layers (AlInAsSb) are inserted in the heterostructure for blocking the dark carrier diffusion and limiting type-II transition at interface, respectively. The activation energy derived from measurement results indicates the positive (negative) correlation between the dominant dark current density and voltage bias (temperature). Whatever the voltage bias (temperature), this relationship always exists, indicating the high stability and reliability of our devices. Indeed, the measures taken for reducing dark current are confirmed to be effective as the dark current density for this photodiode is limited to a lower level. For the typical square mesa with 350 μm side length, at the bias of −0.4 V, the dark current density is 1.78 A/cm2 for T=293 K, and reduces to 0.4 A/cm2 for T=77 K, where the room-temperature value is lower than or comparable with that of the state-of-the-art mid-infrared photodetectors. A room-temperature detectivity of 8.3 × 108 cm ⋅ Hz1/2/W with a cut-off wavelength of 4μm is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle wavelength infrared (MWIR) photodetectors have a wide range of applications, but almost all of them operate at low temperature due to the limit of materials and device structures. The capability of plasmonic structures to localize electromagnetic wave on the deep subwavelength scale provides the possibility for MWIR photodetectors operating at room temperature. Here, we report a high sensitivity room temperature MWIR photodetector which is an InAs0.91Sb0.09-based heterojunction n-i-p photodiode integrated with a Au-based two-dimensional subwavelength hole array (2DSHA). A room temperature detectivity of 0.8 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W−1 and a response time of 600 ns are achieved. The non-cooling high performance of 2DSHA-InAs0.91Sb0.09 based heterojunction photodetectors will make their applications easier, broader, and economic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]