Silicon photodetectors based on internal photoemission effect: The challenge of detecting near infrared light

In this paper an advance overview of our activity in the field of near-infrared silicon photodetectors, is presented. Proposed photodetectors are based on the internal photoemission effect through a Schottky junction and their fabrication results completely compatible with the silicon technology. Taking advantages by both new structures and new two-dimensional emerging materials a progressive increase in device performance has been demonstrated along the last years. Our insights show that silicon devices based on the internal photoemission effect are already suitable for power monitoring application and they could play a key role in the telecommunications opening new frontiers in the field of low-cost silicon photonic. © 2014 IEEE.