Nanogap quantum dot photodetectors with high sensitivity and bandwidth

We report high-performance nanoscale photodetectors utilizing annealed nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) within a nanoscale metal electrode gap. By optimizing the nanogap size and fabrication process, the device demonstrates a significantly better sensitivity (noise equivalent power=7.76×10−14 W/Hz1/2) and bandwidth (≥125 kHz) than previously reported nanoscale photodetectors. Furthermore, by utilizing a lateral photoconduction structure and a self-assembled layer of QDs, the detector fabrication is highly compatible with many substrates and device architectures.