Harnessing Photon Trapping with Ultra-Thin Silicon Photodetectors
A new development in photon-trapping technology could revolutionize photodetection. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have demonstrated that thin-film silicon photodetectors can be used to absorb more than half of the incident photons. This breakthrough technology could lead to smaller and more efficient photodetectors, enabling a wide range of applications from medical imaging to solar energy. The team’s findings show that the absorption of photons is possible using a thin-film of silicon, instead of the thick layers of silicon required by existing photodetectors. This is achieved by trapping photons in the thin-film silicon, allowing for a higher absorption of photons than what is possible with traditional photodetectors. This new technology could revolutionize the photodetection industry and enable new applications in medical imaging, astronomy, and solar energy.
source: Phys.org