Contrôle et imagerie du profil énergetique dans des dispositifs à base de nanocristaux pour la détection infrarouge

Colloidal nanocrystals exhibit size tunable optical and electronic properties thanks to quantum confinement,. Mercury telluride (HgTe) narrow band gap nanocrystals, offer a unique tunability of optical properties covering the entire infrared spectrum. These nanocrystals can be integrated into thin films to create infrared photodetectors, with potential applications for cost-effective infrared cameras. Knowledge of the electronic structure of these materials is crucial for rational device design. However, most studies rely on techniques that neglect the actual device environment. In this work, I used scanning photoemission microscopy to map the energy landscape of nanocrystal-based devices in operando, providing direct insights into their electronic properties under operating conditions. In parallel, I developed an alternative strategy to control carrier density in nanocrystal films by coupling them to ferroelectric materials, taking advantage of their inherent remnant polarization. This approach enabled the formation of ferroelectric-induced p-n junctions within the device channel, allowing for planar photodiode operation that does not rely on gate bias application.