Near-room-temperature photon-noise-limited quantum well infrared photodetector

With the modern development of infrared laser sources such as broadly tunable quantum cascade lasers and frequency combs, applications of infrared laser spectroscopy are expected to become widespread. Consequently, convenient infrared detectors are needed, having properties such as fast response, high efficiency, and room-temperature operation. This work investigated conditions to achieve near-room-temperature photon-noise-limited performance of quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), in particular the laser power requirement. Both model simulation and experimental verification were carried out. At 300 K, it is shown that the ideal performance can be reached for typical QWIP designs up to a detection wavelength of 10 μm. At 250 K, which is easily reachable with a thermoelectric Peltier cooler, the ideal performance can be reached up to 12 μm. QWIPs are therefore suitable for detection and sensing applications with devices operating up to or near room temperature.