【Device Papers】ε-Ga₂O₃ solar-blind photodetector: pyroelectric effect and flame sensing application

      Researchers from the Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications have published a dissertation titled "ε-Ga₂O₃ solar-blind photodetector: pyroelectric effect and flame sensing application" in Vacuum.

Abstract

      The ε-Ga₂O₃ pyroelectric material is ideal for DUV photodetectors, especially for high-temperature applications like atmospheric monitoring and flame detection. This study discusses the performance of Ni/ε-Ga₂O₃ Schottky photodetectors and their response to high temperatures. At room temperature, the dark current is as low as −1.59 × 10⁻¹⁰ A at −10 V bias voltage, the photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR) is more than 5.0 × 10³, the responsivity (R) is 27.68 A/W, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) is 13511 %, and the detectivity (D∗) is more than 1.56 × 10¹³ Jones. High temperatures increase dark current and decrease photocurrent due to phonon scattering and thermal excitation, reducing detection efficiency. However, below 125 °C, the detector shows fast response times and strong self-powered capabilities, maintaining good performance up to 150 °C. The coupling of pyroelectric and photovoltaic effects enhances photoresponse, offering millisecond-level response times and high resolution, making it a promising candidate for energy-efficient flame detectors.

DOI：

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2025.114060