https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02264-4
Regular Article
Self-powered UV photodetector based on type-II Be0.06Zn0.94O0.77S0.23/Ga2O3 heterojunction with dual built-in electric fields synergy
College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Hubei Minzu University, 445000, Enshi, HuBei, People’s Republic of China
a
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Received:
21
September
2025
Accepted:
9
March
2026
Published online:
31
March
2026
Abstract
Wide-bandgap oxide semiconductors, particularly ZnO and Ga2O3, have emerged as promising candidates for short-wavelength optoelectronic devices due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties and excellent chemical/thermal stability. This study innovatively combines a ZnO-based quaternary alloy (BeZnOS) with Ga2O3, proposing a novel high-performance Be0.06Zn0.94O0.77S0.23/Ga2O3 heterojunction self-powered ultraviolet photodetector. The heterojunction thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition and exhibit clearly defined structural properties: Be0.06Zn0.94O0.77S0.23 alloy forms a phase-pure hexagonal wurtzite structure with a bandgap of 3.54 eV, while Ga2O3 maintains the monoclinic structure with a bandgap of 4.92 eV. The strategic co-substitution of isovalent Be2+ and S2− in ZnO enables synergistic band structure engineering, resulting in a type-II band alignment at the heterointerface. The fabricated heterojunction photodetectors exhibit stable self-powered operation with high sensitivity and rapid response characteristics. Compared to the Al/BeZnOS/Ga2O3/Al structure, the Pt/BeZnOS/Ga2O3/Al architecture demonstrates enhanced self-powered ultraviolet detection performance. The enhanced self-powered operation is attributed to the synergistic built-in electric fields from both the BeZnOS/Ga2O3 heterojunction and the Pt/BeZnOS Schottky contact, which jointly promote efficient carrier separation and transport. Our work provides valuable insights into band engineering of ZnO-based materials and establishes a promising platform for developing high-performance all-oxide deep-ultraviolet photodetectors.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02264-4.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
