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Spatial confined hot carrier dynamics for beyond unity quantum efficiency detection

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Wan

    (Nanchang University)

  • Zhe Cheng

    (Nanchang University)

  • Zhen Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiapeng Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fang Zhong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Kangmin Leng

    (Nanchang University
    Nanchang University)

  • Mengchun Qiu

    (Nanchang University
    Nanchang University)

  • Kuai Yu

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Li Wang

    (Nanchang University
    Nanchang University)

  • Antoni Rogalski

    (Military University of Technology)

  • Qi Jie Wang

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Jianbin Xu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Weida Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qisheng Wang

    (Nanchang University
    Nanchang University)

Abstract

Photon harvesting and conversion in semiconductors hold critical scientific and technological value due to their wide-ranging applications, including optoelectronics, renewable energy, and thermal management. However, the efficiency of optical-to-electrical energy conversion is fundamentally limited by the rapid relaxation of thermalized carriers. Here, we demonstrate a spatial confinement-controlled hot carrier dynamics in a T-shape lead selenide photo-thermoelectric device, which achieves a room temperature external quantum efficiency values exceeding unity. This enhancement arises from spatial confinement-induced local phonon scattering, which suppresses the optical-excited hot carrier relaxation. As a result, the T-shape lead selenide detector achieves a room temperature peak detectivity of 6.3 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W−1 beyond thermoelectric theoretical limit. This work establishes a transformative pathway for achieving high-efficiency photodetection and energy conversion technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Wan & Zhe Cheng & Zhen Wang & Jiapeng Hu & Fang Zhong & Kangmin Leng & Mengchun Qiu & Kuai Yu & Li Wang & Antoni Rogalski & Qi Jie Wang & Jianbin Xu & Weida Hu & Qisheng Wang, 2025. "Spatial confined hot carrier dynamics for beyond unity quantum efficiency detection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62548-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62548-6
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