Extremely Efficient Photocurrent Generation in Carbon Nanotube Photodiodes Enabled by a Strong Axial Electric Field

Carbon nanotube (CNT) photodiodes have the potential to convert light into electrical current with high efficiency. However, previous experiments have revealed the photocurrent quantum yield (PCQY) to be well below 100%. In this work, we show that the axial electric field increases the PCQY of CNT photodiodes. Under optimal conditions, our data suggest PCQY > 100%. We studied, both experimentally and theoretically, CNT photodiodes at room temperature using optical excitation corresponding to the S₂₂, S₃₃, and S₄₄ exciton resonances. The axial electric field inside the pn junction was controlled using split gates that are capacitively coupled to the suspended CNT. Our results give new insight into the photocurrent generation pathways in CNTs and the field dependence and diameter dependence of PCQY.