High performance small molecule photodetector with broad spectral response range from 200 to 900 nm

We demonstrate a photodetector (PD) with broad spectral response by taking the advantages of more flexible device design in using small molecule materials. The optimized device shows an external quantum efficiency of over 20 from 200 to 900 nm. The high performance is achieved by jointing two donor (D)/acceptor (A) hetero-junctions [m-MTDATA(D)/TiOPc(A) and TiOPc(D)/F₁₆CuPc: PTCDI-C8(A)] such that photoresponses over the deep-ultraviolet (UV) and visible-near infrared regions can be independently optimized. By choosing D- and A-materials with matched energy level alignment, high carrier mobility, and balanced carrier transporting properties, the present PD shows a fast response of 56 ns. The high speed and deep-UV sensitivity might lead to potential military applications such as missile tracking in addition to optical communications, chemical/biological sensing etc. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.