Advanced Photodetectors Devices and Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced photodetectors and the technologies to manufacture them are finding increasing applications in a variety of disciplines, ranging from video surveillance systems, remote sensing and cameras for consumer applications, to biomedical imaging, optical sensing systems, and environmental monitoring. Depending on the type of application, different aspects of photodetectors, and associated manufacturing technologies, are emphasized. For example, smart phones cameras emphasize low cost, high density, high integration, and a small form factor. High-end smart phone cameras consist of dense arrays of a few to tens of Megapixels and include image signal processing electronics integrated into the image sensor, as well as fast auto-focusing, subject tracking, and high-definition video capabilities. Typically, these cameras use silicon manufacturing technology to create low-cost, system-on-chip solutions suitable for high volume consumer applications. In the biomedical area, clinical imaging tools, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography, are used to detect many chronic and degenerative diseases, including cardio-vascular, cancer, and Parkinson's, using the emerging solid-state photodetectors (silicon photomultipliers SiPMs) to replace the larger, more costly, more fragile, high-voltage photomultiplier tubes. These solid-state photodetectors are especially useful for multimodality imaging in which the power of functional imaging of nuclear medicine (PET) and the excellent structural imaging of magnetic resonance imaging can be combined as these detectors (SiPMs) are unaffected by high magnetic fields. In the technological area, there are numerous research and technology development activities. Examples of rapidly emerging technologies include solution processed colloidal quantum dots, printing of organic/polymeric semiconductors, and self-assembled epitaxial quantum dots that are used to create a variety of advanced photodetectors. The response characteristics of such advanced photodetectors can be tuned by techniques that include the type or composition of materials, the size of quantum dots, or the use of different quantum-confined materials. For the applications mentioned above (and others), one or more of the performance metrics, such as low dark noise, high quantum efficiency, high sensitivity or responsivity, low power, and fast response, is needed.

This Special Issue will focus on advanced photodetectors devices and technologies including materials, structures, designs, circuits, systems and integration for a variety of single device (e.g., fiber optic detector) or systems applications (e.g., cameras). With both invited and contributed papers, this Special Issue will present the latest developments, state-of-the-art, and emerging applications and technologies in this exciting field.

Prof. Dr. M. Jamal Deen
Guest Editor

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