Electrically driven SWCNT for high-efficiency infrared emission based on the electron-phonon scattering effect.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• High-performance infrared light sources are crucial but face challenges in energy efficiency, brightness, and response time.
• Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possess excellent electron mobility and phonon transport, making them potential candidates for infrared emitters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a freestanding SWCNT-based infrared light emitter.
• To evaluate the performance of SWCNT emitters in terms of efficiency, response time, and stability.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a freestanding SWCNT emitter integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB) panel.
• Investigated the influence of 1D subbands and bias voltage on electron-phonon scattering.
• Measured infrared radiation efficiency, temperature, response time, energy consumption, and optical power.

Main Results:

• The SWCNT emitter demonstrated outstanding infrared emission performance, even in atmospheric conditions.
• Achieved a high radiation efficiency of 2 × 10⁻³ mW, with an infrared radiation temperature up to 468 K at 1.5 V.
• Exhibited a fast response time (260 ms rising, 360 ms falling), low energy consumption (0.45 W), and high optical power (9.02 mW).

Conclusions:

• SWCNT emitters show significant potential for future infrared light source applications due to their high thermal radiation, rapid response, and low power consumption.
• The device demonstrated stable performance over 10⁴ cycles and persistent operation for over 14 hours, highlighting its reliability.