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Sub-Millisecond Response Time in a Photorefractive Composite Operating under CW Conditions
Jong-Sik Moon1,2, Tyler E Stevens3, Todd C Monson3
1Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA.
Scientific Reports
|August 2, 2016
Summary
Semiconductor nanocrystals in photorefractive composites boost charge mobility and speed up response times. This advancement in photorefractive materials enables high-speed applications with minimal loss in efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photorefractive polymeric composites are crucial for optical applications.
- Semiconductor nanocrystals enhance charge-carrier mobility but can introduce deep traps, reducing efficiency.
- Narrow band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals mitigate trap-related efficiency losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To exploit narrow band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals for improved photorefractive composites.
- To develop a novel photorefractive composite with enhanced speed and efficiency.
- To enable high-speed applications like video processing using these advanced materials.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a new photorefractive composite using molecular triphenyldiamine and C60.
- Doping the composite with lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystals.
- Characterization of photorefractive properties, including response time, diffraction efficiency, and two-beam coupling gain.
Main Results:
- Achieved response times as low as 399 microseconds.
- Maintained high internal diffraction efficiencies of 72%.
- Recorded two-beam coupling gain coefficients of 500 cm⁻¹.
- Demonstrated enhanced charge mobility with minimal trap-induced losses.
Conclusions:
- The developed PbS nanocrystal-doped photorefractive composite offers significantly reduced response times.
- This approach successfully balances high speed with excellent photorefractive efficiency.
- The findings pave the way for the commercialization of high-performance photorefractive materials for advanced applications.
