Abstract
Monte Carlo calculations of quantum yield in PtSi/p-Si infrared detectors are carried out taking into account the presence of a spatially distributed barrier potential. In the 1-4 μm wavelength range it is found that the spatial inhomogeneity of the barrier has no significant effect on the overall device photoresponse. However, above λ = 4.0 μm and particularly as the cut-off wavelength (μ ≈ 5.5 μm) is approached, these calculations reveal a difference between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous barrier photoresponse which becomes increasingly significant and exceeds 50% at λ = 5.3 μm. It is, in fact, the inhomogeneous barrier which displays an increased photoyield, a feature that is confirmed by approximate analytical calculations assuming a symmetric Gaussian spatial distribution of the barrier. Furthermore, the importance of the silicide layer thickness in optimizing device efficiency is underlined as a trade-off between maximizing light absorption in the silicide layer and optimizing the internal yield. The results presented here address important features which determine the photoyield of PtSi/Si Schottky diodes at energies below the Si absorption edge and just above the Schottky barrier height in particular.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 700-704 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Semiconductor Science and Technology |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials Chemistry