Solution-Processed Nanoparticle Super-Float-Gated Organic Field-Effect Transistor as Un-cooled Ultraviolet and Infrared Photon Counter

Authors

Yongbo Yuan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Qingfeng Dong, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Bin Yang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fawen Guo, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Qi Zhang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ming Han, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jinsong Huang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Scientific Reports, 3:2707 | DOI: 10.1038/srep02707

Comments

This document is published under a Creative Commons/Open Access license.

Abstract

High sensitivity photodetectors in ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) range have broad civilian and military applications. Here we report on an un-cooled solution-processed UV-IR photon counter based on modified organic field-effect transistors. This type of UV detectors have light absorbing zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) sandwiched between two gate dielectric layers as a floating gate. The photon-generated charges on the floating gate cause high resistance regions in the transistor channel and tune the source-drain output current. This ‘‘super-float-gating’’ mechanism enables very high sensitivity photodetectors with a minimum detectable ultraviolet light intensity of 2.6 photons/µm²s at room temperature as well as photon counting capability. Based on same mechansim, infrared photodetectors with lead sulfide NPs as light absorbing materials have also been demonstrated.