Researchers Turn Graphene into Photo Detector Material

Typically, graphene has rather terrible light-sensing capabilities as it is just 3 percent efficient. However, graphene is apparently good enough to become a photo detector material when it is covered gold electrodes, as well nano-scale crystals, commonly referred to as quantum dots. The scientists experimented with different mixes of the material and finally ended up with a detectivity of 7×10^13 Jones. It is not exactly record breaking for photo detectors overall, as the best detectors today reach more than 1x10^14 Jones at room temperature.

However, the results were still good enough to predict that graphene will also make its way into photo detectors and surface in mass market applications. The research team at the Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques in Barcelona, Spain, said it is now focusing on increasing the size of its detector to "real-world application" sizes.

  • saturnus
    I must admit I've stopped reading articles about what revolutionary thing graphene can be used for.

    Graphene's the bees knees. We get it. Now show us some products based on it.
    Reply
  • Haserath
    Perhaps graphene is wonderful in a lab... Trying to mass produce graphene whateveryouwantittobe is a different story.
    Reply
  • memadmax
    Would someone please.... please... please...

    Proofread this crap....
    Reply
  • Cy-Kill
    memadmaxWould someone please.... please... please...Proofread this crap....
    I was just going to post something along these lines.

    A first grader can write better than these so-called "professionals", and I use that word lightly!
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    Is there anything that you can't use graphene for? Maybe the next generation of non-stick pans, wheels for rollerblades, who knows...
    Reply
  • digiex
    Graphene display panel!
    OMG, one atom thick graphic display!
    Reply
  • warezme
    If graphene still has to sit on a layer of gold electrodes and nano crystals, how is it better then existing sensors? Are they just easier to manufacture and cost less? That is what I'm thinking.
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    warezmeIf graphene still has to sit on a layer of gold electrodes and nano crystals, how is it better then existing sensors? Are they just easier to manufacture and cost less? That is what I'm thinking.
    It might still be thinner than contemporary photo sensors, despite the gold electrodes and the nano crystals increasing it's thickness compared to a single layer of graphene.
    Reply
  • WyomingKnott
    HaserathPerhaps graphene is wonderful in a lab... Trying to mass produce graphene whateveryouwantittobe is a different story.Isn't graphene made from pencil lead using adhesive tape as the only tool? So, for a factory, you would just need big pencils and huge rolls of tape. );
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    WyomingKnottIsn't graphene made from pencil lead using adhesive tape as the only tool? So, for a factory, you would just need big pencils and huge rolls of tape. );
    Pencil lead is graphite.
    Reply