Single quantum dot nanowire photodetectors

Abstract

We report InP nanowire photodetectors with a single InAsP quantum dot as light absorbing element. With excitation above the InP band gap, the nanowire photodetectors are efficient (quantum efficiency of 4%). Under resonant excitation of the quantum dot, the photocurrent amplitude depends on the linear polarization direction of the incident light. The photocurrent is enhanced (suppressed) for a polarization parallel (perpendicular) to the axis of the nanowire (contrast 0.83). The active detection volume under resonant excitation is 7×103 nm3. These results show the promising features of quantum dots embedded in nanowire devices for electrical light detection at high spatial resolution.