Hardness of Infrared Nanocrystal-Based Photodiode to Irradiations for Space Applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Infrared (IR) sensing is essential for space applications such as remote sensing and spectroscopy, where sensors must withstand harsh radiation environments. Traditional IR sensors rely on II–VI and III–V semiconductor thin films, but emerging technologies like colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) offer cost-effective and scalable alternatives. However, the current study dedicated to their radiation tolerance remains very limited, thus leaving their potential unclear. This study investigates the radiation hardness of short-wave infrared (SWIR) photodiodes based on HgTe/CdS core–shell NCs, focusing on their resilience to X-ray, high-energy proton, and He+ ion irradiations, key challenges for space missions. The HgTe/CdS NCs, known for their thermal stability and low dark current, were processed into a diode stack and subjected to irradiation. Using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and depth profiling, we correlated optoelectronic degradation with nanoscale chemical and structural modifications, such as anion oxidation and cation redistribution. These findings highlight the potential of colloidal NCs to operate in a harsh radiation environment.
Source: ACS Applied Electronic Materials
Authors: Alexandre Neyret, Albin Colle, Dario Mastrippolito, Mariarosa Cavallo, Pierre Giudicelli-Vernet, Clemence Villefroy, Anna Gagliardi, Dipak Maity, Marco Paye, Jiho Roh, Valentin Bonnet, Clement Gureghian, Tommaso Gemo, Adrien Khalili, Bingbing Xia, Emrick Briand, Ian Vickridge, Stephane Demiguel, Sebastien Massenot, Jean-Marc Belloir, Debora Pierucci, Vincent Goiffon, Emmanuel Lhuillier
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Awards: Nanocrystals-based short-wave Infrared Imaging, Unconventional Phases in Monolayer TMDs: From Colloidal Synthesis to Multiscale Analysis, Mid infrared source using nanocrystals, HgTe nanocrystals a new platform for THz optoelectronics, Infrared Sensors based on CQD, Photodetection in the Infrared with heavy metal-free QUANTum dots, In OPERAndo study of the electronic property modulation of 2D TWISTed hetero-bilayer, Nanobeam soft X-ray microscope to unveil solar cell energy landscape
OpenAlex ID: W7169223323