Solution-processed hybrid perovskite photodetectors with high detectivity

Photodetectors capture optical signals with a wide range of incident photon flux density and convert them to electrical signals instantaneously. They have many important applications including imaging, optical communication, remote control, chemical/biological sensing and so on. Currently, GaN, Si and InGaAs photodetectors are used in commercially available products. Here we demonstrate a novel solution-processed photodetector based on an organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite material. Operating at room temperature, the photodetectors exhibit a large detectivity (the ability to detect weak signals) approaching 1014 Jones, a linear dynamic range over 100 decibels (dB) and a fast photoresponse with 3-dB bandwidth up to 3 MHz. The performance is significantly better than most of the organic, quantum dot and hybrid photodetectors reported so far; and is comparable, or even better than, the traditional inorganic semiconductor-based photodetectors. Our results indicate that with proper device interface design, perovskite materials are promising candidates for low-cost, high-performance photodetectors. Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite materials are attracting great interest for their applications in photovoltaics where they have demonstrated excellent efficiency. Here, Dou et al.demonstrate room temperature, solution-processed hybrid perovskite photodetectors with fast response and high detectivity.