A simplified GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade detector with an alloy extractor

Abstract

We have demonstrated a GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade detector based on a simplified design of the extractor region relying on an AlGaN thick layer. The device grown by molecular beam epitaxy exhibits both TM-polarized intersubband absorption and photocurrent at room temperature at a peak wavelength of 1.87 μm. Based on the measured absorption and responsivity, we estimate the transfer efficiency of photoelectrons to the next period to be around 62%. This simplified design is robust against thickness fluctuations in the extractor region and offers prospects for ultrafast detectors.