Graphene speeds up light conversion
8 May 2015 by Evoluted New Media
Researchers have created a graphene-based photodetector to convert absorbed light to electricity at ultrafast speeds.
Scientists at the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain used graphene to create a photodetector that can transform light into electricity in less than 50 femtoseconds (a femtosecond is 10?15 seconds).
“Graphene photodetectors keep showing fascinating performances addressing a wide range of applications,” said research leader, Professor Frank Koppens.
To convert light to electricity at these speeds, the team used the quick and efficient conduction properties of graphene. The material created rapid conversion of absorbed light to heat which was then converted into a voltage within the graphene interface.
In the study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, the scientists used a combination of techniques known as ultrafast laser excitation and highly sensitive electrical readouts to create the new device.
Dr Klaas-Jan Tielrooij at the Institute of Photonic Sciences said: “The experiment uniquely combined the ultrafast pulse shaping expertise obtained from single molecule ultrafast photonics with the expertise in graphene electronics”.
The scientists hope that this photodetector will open a new way towards ultra-fast optoelectronic conversion and broadband photodetector applications.
Paper: http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2015.54.html
