Three-dimensional metal–semiconductor–metal AlN deep-ultraviolet detector

Conventional metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) ultraviolet (UV) detectors have the disadvantage of limited adjustable structural parameters, finite electrical field, and long carrier path. In this Letter, we demonstrate a three-dimensional (3D) MSM structural AlN-based deep-UV (DUV) detector, fabricated through simple trench etching and metal deposition, while flip bonding to the silicon substrate forms a flip-chip 3D-MSM (FC-3DMSM) device. 3D-MSM devices exhibit improved responsiveness and response speed, compared with conventional MSM devices. Time-dependent photoresponse of all devices is also investigated here. The enhanced performance of the 3D-MSM device is to be attributed to the intensified electrical field from the 3D metal electrode configuration and the inhibition of the carrier vertical transport, which unambiguously increases the carrier collection efficiency and migration speed, and thus the responsivity and speed as well. This work should advance the design and fabrication of AlN-based DUV detectors.