Diamond UV photodetectors: sensitivity and speed for visible blind applications

UV photodetectors displaying visible blind characteristics (> 10(6) discrimination between 200 nm light and wavelengths longer than 230 nm), low dark currents and high sensitivity have been fabricated. Interdigitated planar devices have been formed on CVD diamond films with differing grain sizes; the highest yet reported photoconductive gain levels (10(6)) have been measured, although these devices are moderately slow to turn off. Post-fabrication gas treatments have enabled a good sensitivity (gain similar to 50) to be achieved alongside switching speeds that are fast enough to be used with conventional display technology enabling imaging applications to be considered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.