Photoresponse of solution-synthesized PbSe nanowire devices

PbSe nanowires are of interest for photovoltaic applications due to their variable band gap in the near infrared and potential for efficient multiexciton generation. Contributing to this effort, we present our ongoing studies of the photoresponse of PbSe nanowire devices. These materials are synthesized in solution by reaction of Pb and Se precursors in the presence of stabilizing organic ligands, and possess 10-20 nm diameters with lengths $>$1 $\mu $m. The nanowires are then dispersed on transparent silicon nitride membranes, allowing for both transmission electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy of individual devices. Devices show up to two-fold increases in current under illumination, with current density in the $\sim $1x10$^{9}$ A/m$^{2}$ range. Electrical transport and characterization of nanowires will be presented.