High Responsivity Vacuum Nano-Photodiode Using Single-Crystal CsPbBr(3) Micro-Sheet

Field electron emission vacuum photodiode is promising for converting free-space electromagnetic radiation into electronic signal within an ultrafast timescale due to the ballistic electron transport in its vacuum channel. However, the low photoelectric conversion efficiency still hinders the popularity of vacuum photodiode. Here, we report an on-chip integrated vacuum nano-photodiode constructed from a Si-tip anode and a single-crystal CsPbBr(3) cathode with a nano-separation of ~30 nm. Benefiting from the nanoscale vacuum channel and the high surface work function of the CsPbBr(3) (4.55 eV), the vacuum nano-photodiode exhibits a low driving voltage of 15 V with an ultra-low dark current (50 pA). The vacuum nano-photodiode demonstrates a high photo responsivity (1.75 AW(−1)@15 V) under the illumination of a 532-nm laser light. The estimated external quantum efficiency is up to 400%. The electrostatic field simulation indicates that the CsPbBr(3) cathode can be totally depleted at an optimal thickness. The large built-in electric field in the depletion region facilitates the dissociation of photoexcited electron–hole pairs, leading to an enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency. Moreover, the voltage drop in the vacuum channel increases due to the photoconductive effect, which is beneficial to the narrowing of the vacuum barrier for more efficient electron tunneling. This device shows great promise for the development of highly sensitive perovskite-based vacuum opto-electronics.