Ultrafast UV response detectors based on multi-channel ZnO nanowire networks

Abstract

An UV detector based on multi-channel three dimensional ZnO nanowire networks was fabricated via a catalyst-free CVD method. The ultrafast response time of 20 ms for UV detection was tested in detail. The result revealed that the formation of multi-channels on lateral growth ZnO nanowire arrays can construct a transmission path for UV excited electrons, which is essential for gaining outstanding UV detecting performance. This work not only reports a new way to fabricate in situ nanowire network UV sensors on a chip with large-scale periodic microstructures and a single optical-lithography step via a catalyst free and well controlled synthesis method, but it also confirms a novel mechanism for achieving ultrafast UV detection.