Graphene as a Novel Single Photon Counting Optical and IR Photodetector

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical design for a single photon counting photodetector using bilayer graphene, leveraging its tunable band gap and high mobility for efficient optical and IR detection.

Contribution

It introduces a Monte Carlo simulation model for bilayer graphene-based photon detectors, demonstrating their potential feasibility and advantages over existing technologies.

Findings

Feasibility of single photon detection across optical and IR wavelengths.

Low noise operation at cryogenic temperatures.

Potential for groundbreaking scientific applications.

Abstract

Bilayer graphene has many unique optoelectronic properties , including a tuneable band gap, that make it possible to develop new and more efficient optical and nanoelectronic devices. We have developed a Monte Carlo simulation for a single photon counting photodetector incorporating bilayer graphene. Our results show that, conceptually it would be feasible to manufacture a single photon counting photodetector (with colour sensitivity) from bilayer graphene for use across both optical and infrared wavelengths. Our concept exploits the high carrier mobility and tuneable band gap associated with a bilayer graphene approach. This allows for low noise operation over a range of cryogenic temperatures, thereby reducing the cost of cryogens with a trade off between resolution and operating temperature. The results from this theoretical study now enable us to progress onto the manufacture of prototype photon counters at optical and IR wavelengths that may have the potential to be groundbreaking in some scientific research applications.