The Physics behind the Modulation of Thermionic Current in Photodetectors Based on Graphene Embedded between Amorphous and Crystalline Silicon

In this work, we investigate a vertically illuminated near-infrared photodetector based on a
graphene layer physically embedded between a crystalline and a hydrogenated silicon layer. Under
near-infrared illumination, our devices show an unforeseen increase in the thermionic current. This
effect has been ascribed to the lowering of the graphene/crystalline silicon Schottky barrier as the
result of an upward shift in the graphene Fermi level induced by the charge carriers released from
traps localized at the graphene/amorphous silicon interface under illumination. A complex model
reproducing the experimental observations has been presented and discussed. Responsivity of our
devices exhibits a maximum value of 27 mA/W at 1543 nm under an optical power of 8.7 µW, which
could be further improved at lower optical power. Our findings offer new insights, highlighting at
the same time a new detection mechanism which could be exploited for developing near-infrared
silicon photodetectors suitable for power monitoring applications