SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVES AND PHOTODETECTORS (REVIEW)

An analysis is made of conversion of radiation from different spectral ranges into a photocurrent as a result of excitation of surface electromagnetic waves. A brief account is given of these waves and a description is provided of photodetectors in which such conversion can take place: they include metal-oxide-metal and metal-semiconductor (Schottky barrier) structures, as well as quantum-well detectors. The main trends in the utilization of surface electromagnetic waves in photodetectors are considered, including methods for increasing the quantum efficiency of these detectors, fabrication of photodetectors selective in respect of the wavelength, polarization, and angle of incidence of light, and finally utilization of the polarization of surface electromagnetic waves in excitation of intersubband electron transitions in quantum wells and superlattices.