Mid-infrared detectors based on resonant tunneling diodes and interband cascade structures

Molecule and gas sensing is a key technology that is applied in multiple environmental, industrial and medical fields. In particular optical detection technologies enable contactless, nondestructive, highly sensitive and fast detection of even smallest concentrations of trace gases and molecules. During the past years, an increasing demand for mid-infrared (MIR) light sources suitable for, e.g. molecule or gas sensing applications, has driven the development and optimization of novel MIR lasers and light sources, such as quantum cascade lasers (QCL) or interband cascade lasers (ICL). Despite the progress on MIR light sources, there is still a lack in appropriate MIR detectors. Here, we present and discuss two promising and novel GaSb/InAs-based detector concepts. First, resonant tunneling diode (RTD) photodetectors as an alternative to avalanche photodetectors. In RTDs, amplification of photogenerated minority charge carriers is based on modulation of a majority charge carrier resonant tunneling current. Second, interband cascade photodetectors (ICD), in which a cascading scheme allows for fast carrier extraction and a compensation of the diffusion length limitation.