Self-assembled InAs-GaAs quantum-dot intersubband detectors

The use of self-assembled InAs-GaAs quantum dots in photoconductive intersubband detectors in the far-infrared is presented. Far-infrared absorption is observed in self-assembled quantum dots: in the 6-18-mu m range for subband-subband and subband-continuum transitions. Photoconductive quantum-dot intersubband detectors were fabricated and demonstrate tunable operating wavelengths between 6-18 mu m using subband-subband or subband-continuum transitions. The use of AlAs barriers allows further tuning to shorter wavelengths of 3-7 mu m. Subband-continuum quantum-dot intersubband detectors show encouraging normal incidence performance characteristics at T = 40 K, with responsivities of 10-100 mA/W, detectivities of 1-10 x 10(9) cm.Hz(1/2)/W, and large photoconductive gain up to g = 12 for a ten-layer quantum-dot heterostructure, With improvements in device structure, self-assembled quantum dots can be expected to provide intrinsic normal incidence broad-band detectors with advantages over quantum wells.