Cambridge researchers have discovered a breakthrough “recipe” for inkjet printing that can enable mass production of next-generation laser pointer and optoelectronic technologies. A study led by a PhD from the Graphene Center of Cambridge University found that black phosphorous ink is a unique two-dimensional material similar to graphene, compatible with traditional inkjet printing technology, making it possible to realize the first Scalable large-scale manufacturing of optoelectronic devices.
Interdisciplinary teams of scientists from Cambridge, Imperial College London, Aalto University in Finland, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Zhejiang University have carefully optimized the chemical composition of BP in order to achieve a stable ink through the balance of complex and competitive fluid effects. In this way, new functional lasers and optoelectronic devices can be produced by high-speed printing.
Due to the rapid drying characteristics of BP ink, the final print quality of the manufactured equipment (laser and photodetector) has high quality and uniformity. The research titled “Formulation of Black Phosphorus Ink for Optoelectronics and Photonics Inkjet Printing” has been published and has been sponsored by the Royal College of Engineering and the British Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
BP includes features useful for electronic and optoelectronic devices, including semiconductor forbidden band widths that can cover the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The lead author of the research paper stated: “Our ink formulation enables highly uniform inkjet printing without degrading in the surrounding environment, thus making a large number of 2D material-based light sensors closer to reality. Given the future use of BP materials In terms of application, this green laser pointer method represents a major scientific and technical achievement. This functional ink containing a very small “sheet” BP allows us to print on various substrates, including long-term maintenance Stable plastic. ”
A professor from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics led the work of printing BP-based nonlinear optics. As an ultrafast optical shutter, this optic can be easily inserted into the laser. Continuous radiation laser beams are converted into a series of repeated very short bursts of light (or pulses), which are very suitable for industrial and medical applications, such as machining, drilling, imaging, and sensing.
The professor said: “Compared to any other previous demonstrations, we used BP’s nonlinear optical device design to significantly improve the performance and operational stability of the device. This is our use of BP’s ink formulation marks the adoption of this new material The advantages of the major changes in the new photonic devices and architectures produced. “As part of the research, the team also demonstrated the performance of BP as an efficient and highly responsive photodetector that exceeds the current realization of traditional silicon-based photodetectors. Wavelength range.
Leading this hybrid nanomaterials engineering research group added: “BP is a particularly interesting post-graphene material that provides many opportunities for new lasers and optoelectronic devices. However, despite its outstanding performance in the laboratory, this unique The development of graphene crystals in the real world has been hampered by the manufacture of complex materials and their environmental stability. But our breakthrough research on BP inks will change all of this, because the inks themselves can interact with existing metal oxide semiconductor devices. Technology is seamlessly integrated.