Organic photodetector with built-in amplification for the detection of visible light with low optical power

We report on an organic-based photodetector that integrates a dual-gate organic thin-film transistor (DG-OTFT) with an organic photodiode (OPD) to produce a device with a high effective responsivity at low optical power and video-rate compatible response. In this device, the OPD operates in photovoltaic mode, instead of the commonly used photoconductive mode, to modulate one of the gate voltages of the DG-OTFT. Effective responsivity values of 10 A W⁻¹ are measured at optical power values lower than 10 nW at 635 nm. Modeling of the operation of this new photodetector suggests that effective responsivity values up to 10⁵ A W⁻¹ can be achieved at optical powers of 1 nW using current printing technology and state-of-the-art organic semiconductors.     

The effect of bias light on the spectral responsivity of organic solar cells

The spectral responsivity, S, and the related spectrally resolved photon-to-electron external quantum efficiency, EQE, are standard device characteristics of organic solar cells and can be used to determine the short-circuit current density and power conversion efficiency under standardized test conditions by integrating over the spectral irradiance of the solar emission. However, in organic solar cells S and EQE can change profoundly with light intensity as a result of processes that vary non-linearly with light intensity such as bimolecular recombination of electrons and holes or space charge effects. To determine the S under representative solar light conditions, it is common to use modulated monochromatic light and lock-in detection in combination with simulated solar bias light to bring the cell close to 1 sun equivalent operating conditions. In this paper we demonstrate analytically and experimentally that the S obtained with this method is in fact the differential spectral responsivity, DS, and that the real S and the experimental DS can differ significantly when the solar cells exhibit loss processes that vary non-linearly with light intensity. In these cases the experimental DS will be less than the real S. We propose a new, simple, experimental method to more accurately determine S and EQE under bias illumination. With the new method it is possible to accurately estimate the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells.     

Determination of the optical constants of bulk heterojunction active layers from standard solar cell measurements

The determination of the optical constants n(λ) and k(λ) for organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers from standard solar cell measurements is presented. We show for a small molecule based as well as for polymer solar cells that the complex refractive index can be derived from the external quantum efficiency (EQE) in combination with current–voltage curves obtained from a series of devices with different active layer thicknesses. The results are compared to those obtained via established techniques and the impact of differences in n(λ) and k(λ) on the solar cells is shown by simulation of the current density using a transfer matrix model.     

Enhancing the spectral efficiency and energy efficiency of underwater channel communication by optimal cooperative spectrum sensing using hybrid optimization

Underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) contain quite a lot of components such as vehicles and sensors that are deployed in a specific acoustic area to perform collaborative monitoring and data collection errands. These networks are adopted interactively between diverse nodes and ground‐based stations. Currently, UWSNs face problems and challenges that pertain to limited bandwidth, media access control, high propagation delay, 3D topology, spectrum sensing, resource utilization, routing, and power constraints. This proposal deals with the intelligent spectrum sensing in underwater cognitive sonar communication networks (CSCN). Here, the improved performance of spectrum sensing in underwater communication is attained by optimizing the cooperative spectrum sensing and data transmission. The parameters of system like subchannel allocation and transmission power is optimized by a new hybrid meta‐heuristic algorithm by integrating the concepts of deer hunting optimization algorithm (DHOA) and lion algorithm (LA) termed as lion‐enabled DHOA (L‐DHOA). The main intention of optimizing these parameters is to maximize the spectrum efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) of the underwater channel communication system. From the analysis, with respect to convergence rate, minimum detection probability, and local sensing time, it is proved that the novel hybrid optimization algorithm keeps a great role in making the trade‐off between the SE and EE in underwater channel modeling.     

Broad spectral response photosensitive organic field-effect transistors realized by the hybrid planar-bulk heterojunction composed of three molecules with complementary optical absorption

Photodetectors have a growing number of diverse applications in both military and civilian use, and improving their response bandwidth is of great importance. Broad spectral response photosensitive organic field-effect transistors (PhOFETs) are realized by adopting hybrid planar-bulk heterojunction (HPBHJ) as the active structure that containing three molecules with complementary optical absorption. PhOFETs based on the HPBHJ composed of 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (AlClPc) and C₆₀, and SiO₂ as the gate dielectric exhibit photo response in the broadband wavelength range of 300–850 nm. At an incident optical intensity of 0.07 mW/cm², the mean photoresponsivity and uniformity factor were 0.40 A/W and 0.79, respectively. Furthermore, by replacing SiO₂ gate dielectric with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the device performance could be further improved, the mean photoresponsivity was increased to 2.44 A/W. The physical origin of the performance improvement is discussed.     

Two-dimensional numerical computation of the structure-dependent spectral response in a 4H-SiC metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetector with consideration of reflection and absorption on contact electrodes

A two-dimensional model of a 4H-SiC metal-semiconductor-metal(MSM) ultraviolet photodetector has been established using a self-consistent numerical calculation method.The structure-dependent spectral response of a 4H-SiC MSM detector is calculated by solving Poisson’s equation,the current continuity equation and the current density equation.The calculated results are verified with experimental data.With consideration of the reflection and absorption on the metal contacts,a detailed study involving various electrode heights(H),spacings (S) and widths(W) reveals conclusive results in device design.The mechanisms responsible for variations of responsivity with those parameters are analyzed.The findings show that responsivity is inversely proportional to electrode height and is enhanced with an increase of electrode spacing and width.In addition,the ultraviolet (UV)-to-visible rejection ratio is > 103.By optimizing the device structure at 10 V bias,a responsivity as high as 180.056 mA/W,a comparable quantum efficiency of 77.93%and a maximum UV-to-visible rejection ratio of 1875 are achieved with a detector size of H = 50 nm,S =9μm and W = 3μm.     

Nanoscale Conducting Channels at the Surface of Organic Semiconductors Formed by Decoration of Molecular Steps with Self‐Assembled Molecules

Under certain conditions, self‐assembling molecules preferentially bind to molecular steps at the surface of crystalline organic semiconductors, inducing a strong local doping effect. This creates macroscopically long conducting paths of nanoscale width (a single crystalline analogue of organic nanowires) that can span distances of up to 1 cm between electrical contacts. The observed effect of molecular step decoration opens intriguing possibilities for visualization, passivation, and selective doping of surface and interfacial defects in organic electronic devices and provides a novel system for research on nanoscale charge transport in organic semiconductors. In addition, this effect sheds light on the microscopic origin of nucleation and growth of self‐assembled monolayers at organic surfaces. It can also have implications in electronic patterning, nanoscale chemical sensors, integrated interconnects and charge‐transfer interfaces in organic transistors and solar cells.