Pakistani researcher develops cost-effective solar-blind UVC detection using lithium niobate

A Pakistani researcher, Dr. Ali Imran, working with China’s National Nanotech Innovation Center in Guangzhou, has helped develop a potentially cost-effective method for detecting solar-blind ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation. The research team concentrated on improving the collection of photo-generated carriers by optimising the spatial arrangement of interdigitated electrodes on the lithium niobate surface.
This technology employs bulk lithium niobate crystals alongside an optimised electrode design, addressing some cost and manufacturing hurdles found in standard solar-blind UVC photodetectors. The interdigitated electrodes feature alternating finger-like structures placed at precise distances.
When UVC radiation strikes the exposed crystal surface, it creates charge carriers that the electric field then directs toward the electrodes. The development could offer a simpler route for creating UVC sensing devices for uses such as environmental monitoring, flame detection, and industrial safety.
Ali stated, "I explored lithium niobate as an alternative substrate. While the material has attractive optical and electronic properties, the rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers can limit its effectiveness in conventional detector configurations."
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