Comparison of resolution characteristics between exponential-doping and uniform-doping GaN photocathodes

Abstract

The studies of quantum efficiency, electronic energy distribution and stability are highly concerned in the application of Negative electron affinity (NEA) gallium nitride (GaN) photocathodes while the resolution of photocathodes are concerned rarely. The resolutions of some image intensifiers are smaller than computational value partly because of ignoring the resolution of photocathodes. To a certain extent, the resolutions of image intensifiers are influenced by photocathodes. Electronic transverse diffusion is the main cause of decreasing the resolution of photocathodes whereas the exponential-doping structure can reduce its influence. In this paper, the resolution characteristics of photocathodes have been studied by using the modulation transfer function (MTF) method. The MTF expressions of transmission-mode exponential-doping photocathodes have been obtained by solving the two-dimensional continuity equations. According to the MTF expressions, the resolution characteristics between exponential-doping and uniform-doping GaN photocathodes are calculated theoretically and analyzed comparatively. At the same time, the relationships between resolution and thickness of the emission layer T_e, electron diffusion length L_D are researched in detail. The calculated results show that, compared with the uniform-doping photocathode, the exponential-doping structure can increase the resolution of photocathode evidently. The resolution of exponential-doping GaN photocathode is improved distinctly when the spatial frequency varies from 400 to 800 lp/mm. The MTF characteristics approach gradually when f increases or decreases. Let f =600 lp/mm, the resolution increases by 20%-48% approximately. The constant built-in electric field for exponential-doping GaN photocathode can increase the resolution of photocathode. The improvement of resolution is different from decreasing T_e, L_D or increasing the recombination velocity of back-interface which are at the cost of reducing the quantum efficiency of photocathode. Therefore, the MTF expressions of transmission-mode exponential-doping photocathode play a positive role in improving the resolution of ultraviolet detector and optimizing the structural design of GaN photocathode.