Large Band-Edge Photocurrent Peak in Thick Methylammonium Lead Iodide Photosensors with Symmetric Metal Electrodes

This study examines the photocurrent (photoconductivity) spectra of thick methylammonium lead iodide perovskite layers coupled to symmetric metal electrodes. A large photocurrent peak has been observed in the near-band-gap wavelength region. The origin of this current peak is related to an interplay between the penetration depths of light having a certain wavelength and its ability to raise the concentration of the charge carriers. A model including the generation, position-specific or uniform recombination, as well as diffusion of charge carrier pairs, made it possible to reproduce the experimental findings. Besides the microscopic approach, we also present a phenomenological model and a simulation providing the conductance for an arbitrary relative orientation of the illuminating beam and the field imposed by the electrodes. The results enabled us to outline the functioning principle of a sensor for determining the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, a method for estimating optical absorption spectra from photocurrent spectra is delineated.