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Design and characterization of asymetrical super-lattice Si/4H-SiC pin photo diode array: a potential opto-sensor for future applications in bio-medical domain

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Abstract

Photo-sensors are integral part of different bio-medical diagnostic equipment. Each type of bio-molecules possess unique spectral fingerprint in visible wavelength region of electro-magnetic spectrum. Now-a-days, the enhancement of quantum-efficiency and photo-responsivity of such bio-medical opto-sensors, for accurate identification of virus/anti-bodies in blood by optical means, is a big challenge to medical-device Engineers. The authors have addressed this issue in this research paper by proposing a novel structure of asymmetrical Si/4H-SiC super-lattice pin diode array for the development of high-sensitive visible light (300–800 nm) sensor on native substrate. The simulation experiment is carried out by developing a generalized large-signal quantum modified drift–diffusion simulator incorporating three different modes of carrier generation-recombination under light and dark conditions: avalanching, tunneling and photo-irradiation. The validity of the model has been established by comparing the simulation results with those of experimental observations. A good agreement between theory and experiment, under similar biasing conditions, establishes the validity of the developed model. The characteristics analysis depicts that the quantum efficiency of the designed single photo-sensor is ~ 65% within 400–700 nm wavelength region, whereas, the same enhances to nearly ~ 90% with a 3 × 3 photo-sensor array based on asymmetrical super-lattice single pin devices. In visible wavelength region, the simulated photo-sensors (both single and array) have demonstrated significant photo responsivity. The photo-responsivity values, at 500 nm wavelength of incident radiation, are observed to be 0.65 A/W for a single photo-diode and 0.85 A/W for a 3 × 3 combination of photo-diode array. This clearly establishes the potentiality of the asymmetrical super-lattice pin-array as a visible photo-sensor for future application in developing medical instruments. A comparative analysis of Si and Si/4H-SiC asymmetrical super-lattice photo-sensors establishes the superiority of the later as a high-sensitive visible light-sensor in terms of better photo-responsivity and quantum efficiency. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on Si/4H-SiC super-lattice pin photo-sensor array in the visible range of optical irradiation. The experimental feasibility of the device and a proposed circuit for future bio-medical implementation are also incorporated in the present research-paper for further development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Government Engineering College, Chaibasa, Jharkhand, India

    Abhijit Kundu

  2. Department of Physics, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, India

    Saikat Adhikari & Moumita Mukherjee

  3. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Narula Institute of Technology, Kolkata, 700109, India

    Arnima Das

  4. Narula Institute of Technology, Kolkata, 700109, India

    Maitreyi Ray Kanjilal

Authors
  1. Abhijit Kundu
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  2. Saikat Adhikari
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  3. Arnima Das
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  4. Maitreyi Ray Kanjilal
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  5. Moumita Mukherjee
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Correspondence to Moumita Mukherjee.

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Kundu, A., Adhikari, S., Das, A. et al. Design and characterization of asymetrical super-lattice Si/4H-SiC pin photo diode array: a potential opto-sensor for future applications in bio-medical domain. Microsyst Technol 27, 569–584 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-018-4119-4

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