Mid-Infrared Photoconductive Detectors Fabricated From Solution-Processed PbSe Nanocrystals

Polycrystalline lead selenide (PbSe) is the primary material choice for low-cost, uncooled detectors operating in the mid-wavelength infrared. The fabrication of photoconductive PbSe films is typically done through chemical bath or vapor phase deposition methods and it can benefit by adopting emerging solution-process fabrication techniques. In this study, we report the preparation of a photosensitive PbSe film derived from colloidal nanocrystal ink and demonstrate its feasibility as a photoconductive photodetector. After sensitization, the device exhibits a favorable responsivity of 1.1 A/W at 4 μm peak. The work presented here may open up new opportunities for additive manufacturing of uncooled mid-infrared sensors and imagers.