Mid-IR, Uncooled Photodetectors Based on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Emitech, Inc. proposes an innovative approach aimed at the development of nanoscale infrared detectors capable of operating at room temperatures in the wavelength range of 5-15 ƒYm. An active nanomaterial is composed from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) being in junction with the flat or nanoporous semiconductor surface. This new concept is based on the effect of reduced electron-phonon coupling in quasi one-dimensional CNTs, which considerably suppress the thermal noise and enables higher detector operational temperatures. Semiconducting CNTs are known to exhibit the inverse proportional dependence of the band gap on the nanotube diameter. Thus, the variation of the CNT diameter allows to control the detector operation range. This new approach is to gain an advantage over traditionally used II-VI and III-V bulk compounds and related nanostructures for IR detection. Simple and cost effective fabrication process combined with robust and easy to control electro-optical properties allow making CNT-based uncooled detectors large in size, onto a flexible substrate, with low noise and at low fabrication cost.