New Elements for Capturing Infrared Laser Radiation Have Been Created in Russia

A new flexible material that responds to infrared radiation has been developed by specialists from Samara University, a member of the international research team. According to the authors, the development will find its application both in medical and scientific equipment, as well as in spacecrafts. The results are presented in the Computer Optics Journal.

Photodetectors are designed for conversing a light signal into an electric one. As we were told at Samara National Research University, infrared photodetectors have currently become one of key components of many devices: for example, they are used in fire safety systems, cameras and smartphones.

According to experts, conversion of light into electric current occurs due to the internal photoelectric effect: concentration of electrons increases when light hits so-called sensitive elements. Mass produced photodetectors are usually based on rigid and fragile substrates that cannot be bent or compressed, which makes it difficult to give them the desired shape. Flexible photodetectors are also known. They are convenient to be placed on surfaces with various geometry, but most of known materials for manufacturing them can detect only a limited range of wavelengths. The experts state that this disadvantage prevents practical application of the materials.

Specialists from Samara University, together with scientists of Kurchatov Institute and researchers from India, have developed a high-sensitive flexible photodetector based on Titanium Disulfide (TiS₂) with addition of Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃).

“The TiS₂-AgNO₃-based photodetector exceeds in a number of parameters similar specifications of known photodetectors. There is clearly a significant effect of Silver-Nitrate nanoparticles scattered in the sensitive material of the photodetector on its performance,” explained Nishant Tripathi, Scientific Director of the project, Associate Professor at Samara University.

He noted that the developed photodetector will be useful in medical diagnostics. In future, it will allow measuring concentrations of oxygen dissolved in blood and, consequently, assess performance of respiratory, cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems. This is necessary for diagnostics, for both prevention and therapy of respiratory diseases.

According to the experts, the development will be helpful in space, as well. For example, large continuous areas of flexible photodetectors on a spacecraft will be able to detect the composition of gases, which is crucial for continuous assessment of the onboard atmosphere. Manufacturing the photodetectors for the purpose of their location on curved surfaces will not require changes in production technology in each individual case.

“Equipment with IR-detectors is able to measure the gas composition due to the property of gas to reduce intensity of infrared radiation,” said Anastasia Rymzhina, one of the authors of this research, a graduate student at Samara University. She added that now specialists not only study in details properties of the material created, but also design new photodetectors.

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The research has been supported by the grant from the Russian Science Foundation and the contract with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the framework of the R&D Laboratory “Photonics for Smart Home and Smart City.” Part of the work has been done in the framework of the Priority 2030 Program of the Russian National Project “Science and Universities,” a member of which is Samara University.

Source: RIA NOVOSTI