New Infrared Photodiode Technology Shows Improved Responsiveness
A new infrared photodiode has been developed, which could enhance the efficiency of technologies relying on infrared light detection. Developed by researchers, this new sensor achieves a 35 percent increase in responsivity at a wavelength of 1.55 µm, widely used in telecommunications. Its design enables it to be manufactured with existing production techniques, simplifying integration into current systems. Infrared sensors play a crucial role in diverse applications, including self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, and remote controls.
Advances in Photodiode Technology
According to a study published in the journal Light: Science & Applications, the photodiode has been created using Germanium instead of the commonly used Indium,Gallium, and Arsenide. Germanium offers a cost-effective and compatible option with semiconductor manufacturing but has historically underperformed in capturing infrared light.
The team behind the innovation has reportedly overcome this limitation by combining techniques that eliminate optical losses through surface nanostructures and reduce electrical losses using two distinct approaches.
Exceptional Performance in Responsivity
The device has been reported to capture nearly all the infrared light incident upon it. Tests indicate that its performance surpasses not only current Germanium photodiodes but also commercially available Indium Gallium Arsenide alternatives. The high responsivity and efficiency across various wavelengths make it a promising development for several technologies, particularly in fields where infrared sensing is integral.
Potential Applications and Impact
Hele Savin, a professor leading the research, told Phys.org that the work represents the culmination of an eight-year effort. Hanchen Liu, a doctoral researcher involved in the project, added that existing manufacturing facilities could readily produce the photodiode, ensuring its practicality. The innovation is expected to impact existing systems significantly while paving the way for new applications requiring enhanced sensitivity.
The timing of this advancement aligns with increasing reliance on infrared sensing across multiple industries, reflecting the essential role of this technology in modern life. Researchers remain optimistic about the broader implications of their work.
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Most early Europeans retained dark skin, hair, and eyes until approximately 3,000 years ago, as suggested by recent genetic research. Findings indicate that lighter features only became common in Europe during the Iron Age. Although the genetic markers for lighter pigmentation first appeared around 14,000 years ago, they remained relatively rare for thousands of years. Scientists suggest that lighter skin may have provided an advantage by aiding vitamin D production in regions with lower sunlight exposure. The research was conducted through an extensive analysis of ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites across Europe and parts of Asia.
Pigmentation Variations Over Time
According to a study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, genetic material from 348 ancient individuals was examined, with samples dating back as far as 45,000 years. The oldest belonged to the Ust’-Ishim individual from western Siberia, discovered in 2008, while another well-preserved genome came from the SF12 individual, who lived in Sweden around 9,000 years ago. Despite degradation in many samples, scientists utilised probabilistic phenotype inference and the HIrisPlex-S system to reconstruct pigmentation patterns.
Silvia Ghirotto, a geneticist at the University of Ferrara and the study’s senior author, stated in an email to Live Science that while lighter skin, hair, and eyes emerged sporadically in individuals over time, dark pigmentation remained dominant in parts of Europe well into the Copper Age. Some regions continued to see frequent occurrences of darker traits until the Iron Age.
Emergence of Lighter Features
The study found that lighter eye colours first appeared between 14,000 and 4,000 years ago, primarily in Northern and Western Europe. However, individuals with dark skin and dark hair still remained prevalent during that period. The genes responsible for lighter skin emerged in Sweden around the same time but remained rare initially.
Carles Lalueza-Fox, a palaeogeneticist at Barcelona’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology, who was not involved in the study, expressed surprise at the findings. He told Live Science that the persistence of darker pigmentation in some individuals until the Iron Age was unexpected. While the study maps out the emergence of these genetic traits, the reasons for their eventual dominance remain uncertain.
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