Photoconductivity in Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

We have observed the photoconductive response of film samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes for the first time. Two peaks in the photoconductivity excitation spectra around 0.7 and 1.2 eV are observed at room temperature, which can be interpreted as a photocurrent in semiconducting nanotubes. At a low temperature, we found a marked change in the intensity of the spectrum. In this paper, we discuss this temperature dependence and the mechanism of photoconductivity.