On-chip integrated plasmon-induced high-performance self-powered Pt/GaN ultraviolet photodetector

The advantages of on-chip integrated photodetectors, such as miniaturization, high integration, and reliability, make them an indispensable and important part of electronic devices and systems. Herein, we experimentally exhibit a monolithically integrated ultraviolet photodetector utilizing GaN microcylinder epitaxial-structure on Si wafer, with its photoresponse properties plasmonically-boosted using Pt nanoparticles via specific sizes. When illuminated upon ultraviolet light at 0 V bias, the Pt/GaN device has significant photovoltaic performances, including a peak responsivity of 200.1 mA W -1 , external quantum efficiency of 65% and other figures-of-merit. Finite element analysis and energy band theory confirm that the excellent photodetection properties of the Pt/GaN device are related to the strong plasmon absorption and the increase of hot electrons injected into the GaN conduction band, which make its photoresponse performance and robustness in application much better. To realize the multipurpose capability of the devices, we validate the application of Pt/GaN as turbidity sensing and achieve a resolution of up to 100 NTU. Moreover, the prepared devices can be used as optical data receivers for optical communication. These findings provide references for on-chip detectors to improve overall system performance and drive the realization of more complex applications. High-performance UV self-powered photodetectors based on Pt nanoparticles modified GaN is experimentally exhibited. The optimized photodetector reveals technically and practically competitive photoresponse properties, which enables to achieve the proof-of-concept for turbidity sensing and UV communication. • High-performance self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on a PtNPs-modified GaN microcolumns structure on Si-chip was achieved. • Through theoretical analysis, the excellent photoresponse performance is mainly attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect induced by PtNPs in the ultraviolet wavelengths. • The turbidity sensing capability of Pt/GaN with high resolution has been demonstrated in a proof-of-concept, which is evidenced as optical data receivers for UV optical communication.