Radiation detectors based on PbSnTe:In films, sensitive in the terahertz range of the spectrum

Abstract

This paper presents a review of studies of the photoelectric properties of PbSnTe:In films obtained by molecular beam epitaxy and photosensitive structures in the far infrared and submillimeter ranges based on these films. The parameters of photodetector arrays of this type and detectors based on doped semiconductors and superconductors are compared. One-dimensional (2×128 elements) and two-dimensional (128 × 128 elements) PbSnTe:In based arrays with a sensitivity threshold of ~22 μm and an operating temperature of T ≤ 16 K are implemented. Under background-free conditions, the noise equivalent power (NEP) was NEP ≤ ¹⁰⁻¹⁸ W/Hz^0.5 at T = 7 K for a black body radiation source at T_BB = 77 K. In the submillimeter range of the spectrum, sensitivity to laser radiation with a wavelength λ ≤ 205 μm and a value NEP ≤ 10⁻¹² W/Hz^0.5 was observed without optimization of the design of the photosensitive element and minimization of the measurement circuit noise. The directions of the development of PbSnTe:In based radiation detectors are considered..