Quantum well intrasubband photodetector (QWISP): Prospects for large-format far-infrared focal plane arrays

We describe a recently proposed device concept of using of the dopant-assisted intra-subband absorption mechanism in quantum wells for normal-incidence far infrared / terahertz radiation detection. The Quantum Well Intra-Subband Photodetector (QWISP) is closely related to the quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP), which is now been utilized routinely to fabricate large-format (mega-pixel), multi-spectral (3 to 15 μm) focal plane arrays. The QWISP is a compact device that is compatible with existing GaAs QWIP focal-plane array technology. We describe the basic physics and device concept of the QWISP, present a theoretical analysis on its far-IR detection properties, and discuss prospects toward its experimental realization.

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