Dark Current Reduction in ZnO-Based MSM Photodetectors with Interfacial Thin Oxide Layer

In this paper the current transport mechanism of ZnO-based metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetectors with various contact electrodes is discussed and simulated. The simulation is based on the thermionic emission theory and tunneling effects. It was found that the lowest dark current attributes to the Ru contact electrode. Moreover, it is shown that in order to achieve a large Schottky barrier height on ZnO and more reduction of dark current, one can insert a thin oxide layer between contacts and ZnO layer. The influence of the thickness of the insulator layer on the dark current of the MIS photodetector has also analyzed.