Revealing Additional Size-Dependent Defect Suppression Channels Governing Detectivity in InAs Colloidal Quantum Dot Photodiodes.

Zeiske, Stefan; Ban, Hyeong Woo; Li, Xubiao; Deng, Bin; López-Arteaga, Rafael; Kazianga, Ubaid H; Han, Moon Gyu; Kim, Tae-Gon et al. · Nano Lett · 2025

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Indium arsenide (InAs) colloidal quantum dot (CQD) photodiodes combine tunable bandgaps with solution processing, offering a versatile platform for infrared detection. Using high-dynamic-range external quantum efficiency (HDR-EQE) measurements, we probe defect signatures and quantify their impact on performance. Analysis of Urbach tails and Gaussian sub-bandgap states shows that trap densities decrease with increasing nanocrystal size, exceeding predictions from simple surface-to-volume scaling and underscoring the influence of surface chemistry on bandedge disorder. These defect states affect the dark saturation current (<i>J</i><sub>0</sub>), enabling us to estimate their contribution to detectivity and noise. The results connect nanocrystal size, defect population, and device performance, distinguishing intrinsic trap-mediated effects from extrinsic loss channels. We find that while intrinsic defects play a role, today's InAs CQD photodiodes are primarily limited by contact and interface properties, highlighting these as key targets for further improvement.