Spectral and polarization characteristics of a broadband vacuum photosensor with tunnel emission from a metal nanoscale blade

In this work, we investigate the spectral and polarization characteristics of a vacuum photosensor with a nanoscale molybdenum blade as a sensing element. The results of theoretical and experimental studies of the optical fields in the sensor and the photocurrent produced by laser beam irradiation in the range of wavelengths from the visible to the near infrared are presented. The existence of a photo-response far beyond the red threshold of the classical photoelectric effect is ensured by the localization of an external strong electrostatic field. Features of the field interaction of radiation with a molybdenum blade cause the registered spectral non-monotonicity of the photocurrent value, which corresponds to the results of theoretical studies. The ballistic transport of electrons in a vacuum is characterized by a high speed. Achieved results made the photosensor based on nanoscale molybdenum blade promising in the development of ultrafast vacuum micro and nanoelectronic devices.