Nanostructured materials for photon detection
TL;DR: Progress in light sensing using nanostructured materials is reviewed, focusing on solution-processed materials such as colloidal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles.
Abstract: The detection of photons underpins imaging, spectroscopy, fibre-optic communications and time-gated distance measurements. Nanostructured materials are attractive for detection applications because they can be integrated with conventional silicon electronics and flexible, large-area substrates, and can be processed from the solution phase using established techniques such as spin casting, spray coating and layer-by-layer deposition. In addition, their performance has improved rapidly in recent years. Here we review progress in light sensing using nanostructured materials, focusing on solution-processed materials such as colloidal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles. These devices exhibit phenomena such as absorption of ultraviolet light, plasmonic enhancement of absorption, size-based spectral tuning, multiexciton generation, and charge carrier storage in surface and interface traps.
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University of Cambridge1, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia2, Lancaster University3, University of Manchester4, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies5, Technical University of Denmark6, Nokia7, Queen Mary University of London8, fondazione bruno kessler9, University of Trento10, Technische Universität München11, Polytechnic University of Milan12, Centre national de la recherche scientifique13, University of Trieste14, University of Ioannina15, University of Geneva16, Trinity College, Dublin17, Texas Instruments18, University of Paris19, Spanish National Research Council20, Leiden University21, Delft University of Technology22, University of Patras23, École Normale Supérieure24, Radboud University Nijmegen25, Nest Labs26, Airbus UK27, Seoul National University28, Yonsei University29, University of Oxford30, Chalmers University of Technology31, University of Groningen32, STMicroelectronics33, Chemnitz University of Technology34, Max Planck Society35, Aalto University36
TL;DR: An overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials, ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries are provided.
Abstract: We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field.
2,560 citations
TL;DR: A gain of ∼10(8) electrons per photon and a responsivity of ∼ 10(7) A W(-1) in a hybrid photodetector that consists of monolayer or bilayer graphene covered with a thin film of colloidal quantum dots is demonstrated.
Abstract: A phototransistor in which electric charges are absorbed by colloidal quantum dots and circulated in graphene exhibits high values for gain, responsivity and specific detectivity.
1,921 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors exploit the strong light absorption in quantum dots and the two-dimensionality and high mobility of graphene to merge these materials into a hybrid system for photodetection with extremely high sensitivity.
Abstract: Graphene has emerged as a novel platform for opto-electronic applications and photodetector, but the inefficient conversion from light to current has so far been an important roadblock. The main challenge has been to increase the light absorption efficiency and to provide a gain mechanism where multiple charge carriers are created from one incident photon. Here, we take advantage of the strong light absorption in quantum dots and the two-dimensionality and high mobility of graphene to merge these materials into a hybrid system for photodetection with extremely high sensitivity. Exploiting charge transfer between the two materials, we realize for the first time, graphene-based phototransistors that show ultrahigh gain of 10^8 and ten orders of magnitude larger responsivity compared to pristine graphene photodetectors. These hybrid graphene-quantum dot phototransistors exhibit gate-tunable sensitivity, spectral selectivity from the shortwave infrared to the visible, and can be integrated with current circuit technologies.
1,462 citations
TL;DR: This review will survey recent progress in the development of spectral converters, with a particular emphasis on lanthanide-based upconversion, quantum-cutting and down-shifting materials, for PV applications, and present technical challenges that arise in developing cost-effective high-performance solar cells based on these luminescent materials.
Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) technologies for solar energy conversion represent promising routes to green and renewable energy generation. Despite relevant PV technologies being available for more than half a century, the production of solar energy remains costly, largely owing to low power conversion efficiencies of solar cells. The main difficulty in improving the efficiency of PV energy conversion lies in the spectral mismatch between the energy distribution of photons in the incident solar spectrum and the bandgap of a semiconductor material. In recent years, luminescent materials, which are capable of converting a broad spectrum of light into photons of a particular wavelength, have been synthesized and used to minimize the losses in the solar-cell-based energy conversion process. In this review, we will survey recent progress in the development of spectral converters, with a particular emphasis on lanthanide-based upconversion, quantum-cutting and down-shifting materials, for PV applications. In addition, we will also present technical challenges that arise in developing cost-effective high-performance solar cells based on these luminescent materials.
1,391 citations
TL;DR: This review discusses efforts to create next-generation materials via bottom-up organization of nanocrystals with preprogrammed functionality and self-assembly instructions, and explores the unique possibilities offered by leveraging nontraditional surface chemistries and assembly environments to control superlattice structure and produce nonbulk assemblies.
Abstract: Chemical methods developed over the past two decades enable preparation of colloidal nanocrystals with uniform size and shape. These Brownian objects readily order into superlattices. Recently, the range of accessible inorganic cores and tunable surface chemistries dramatically increased, expanding the set of nanocrystal arrangements experimentally attainable. In this review, we discuss efforts to create next-generation materials via bottom-up organization of nanocrystals with preprogrammed functionality and self-assembly instructions. This process is often driven by both interparticle interactions and the influence of the assembly environment. The introduction provides the reader with a practical overview of nanocrystal synthesis, self-assembly, and superlattice characterization. We then summarize the theory of nanocrystal interactions and examine fundamental principles governing nanocrystal self-assembly from hard and soft particle perspectives borrowed from the comparatively established fields of micro...
1,376 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe recent progress in the theory of nanoparticle optical properties, particularly methods for solving Maxwell's equations for light scattering from particles of arbitrary shape in a complex environment.
Abstract: The optical properties of metal nanoparticles have long been of interest in physical chemistry, starting with Faraday's investigations of colloidal gold in the middle 1800s. More recently, new lithographic techniques as well as improvements to classical wet chemistry methods have made it possible to synthesize noble metal nanoparticles with a wide range of sizes, shapes, and dielectric environments. In this feature article, we describe recent progress in the theory of nanoparticle optical properties, particularly methods for solving Maxwell's equations for light scattering from particles of arbitrary shape in a complex environment. Included is a description of the qualitative features of dipole and quadrupole plasmon resonances for spherical particles; a discussion of analytical and numerical methods for calculating extinction and scattering cross-sections, local fields, and other optical properties for nonspherical particles; and a survey of applications to problems of recent interest involving triangula...
9,086 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple route to the production of high-quality CdE (E=S, Se, Te) semiconductor nanocrystallites is presented, based on pyrolysis of organometallic reagents by injection into a hot coordinating solvent.
Abstract: A simple route to the production of high-quality CdE (E=S, Se, Te) semiconductor nanocrystallites is presented. Crystallites from ∼12 A to ∼115 A in diameter with consistent crystal structure, surface derivatization, and a high degree of monodispersity are prepared in a single reaction. The synthesis is based on the pyrolysis of organometallic reagents by injection into a hot coordinating solvent. This provides temporally discrete nucleation and permits controlled growth of macroscopic quantities of nanocrystallites. Size selective precipitation of crystallites from Portions of the growth solution isolates samples with narrow size distributions (<5% rms in diameter). High sample quality results in sharp absorption features and strong «band-edge» emission which is tunable with particle size and choice of material
8,374 citations
TL;DR: Monodisperse samples of silver nanocubes were synthesized in large quantities by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), characterized by a slightly truncated shape bounded by {100, {110}, and {111} facets.
Abstract: Monodisperse samples of silver nanocubes were synthesized in large quantities by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). These cubes were single crystals and were characterized by a slightly truncated shape bounded by {100}, {110}, and {111} facets. The presence of PVP and its molar ratio (in terms of repeating unit) relative to silver nitrate both played important roles in determining the geometric shape and size of the product. The silver cubes could serve as sacrificial templates to generate single-crystalline nanoboxes of gold: hollow polyhedra bounded by six {100} and eight {111} facets. Controlling the size, shape, and structure of metal nanoparticles is technologically important because of the strong correlation between these parameters and optical, electrical, and catalytic properties.
5,992 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that semiconductor nanorods can be used to fabricate readily processed and efficient hybrid solar cells together with polymers and Tuning the band gap by altering the nanorod radius enabled us to optimize the overlap between the absorption spectrum of the cell and the solar emission spectrum.
Abstract: We demonstrate that semiconductor nanorods can be used to fabricate readily processed and efficient hybrid solar cells together with polymers. By controlling nanorod length, we can change the distance on which electrons are transported directly through the thin film device. Tuning the band gap by altering the nanorod radius enabled us to optimize the overlap between the absorption spectrum of the cell and the solar emission spectrum. A photovoltaic device consisting of 7-nanometer by 60-nanometer CdSe nanorods and the conjugated polymer poly-3(hexylthiophene) was assembled from solution with an external quantum efficiency of over 54% and a monochromatic power conversion efficiency of 6.9% under 0.1 milliwatt per square centimeter illumination at 515 nanometers. Under Air Mass (A.M.) 1.5 Global solar conditions, we obtained a power conversion efficiency of 1.7%.
4,898 citations
"Nanostructured materials for photon..." refers background in this paper
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TL;DR: The current status and future prospects of plAsmonics in various applications including plasmonic chips, light generation, and nanolithography are reviewed.
Abstract: Electronic circuits provide us with the ability to control the transport and storage of electrons. However, the performance of electronic circuits is now becoming rather limited when digital information needs to be sent from one point to another. Photonics offers an effective solution to this problem by implementing optical communication systems based on optical fibers and photonic circuits. Unfortunately, the micrometer-scale bulky components of photonics have limited the integration of these components into electronic chips, which are now measured in nanometers. Surface plasmon-based circuits, which merge electronics and photonics at the nanoscale, may offer a solution to this size-compatibility problem. Here we review the current status and future prospects of plasmonics in various applications including plasmonic chips, light generation, and nanolithography.
4,371 citations