Mechanoluminescent Aluminum Nitride Crystal for Super-Sensitive Optical Manometry, Thermometry and Force Sensing
Teng Zheng1, Przemysław Woźny2, Kevin Soler-Carracedo2
1School of Information and Electrical Engineering, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, 310015, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|September 9, 2025
Summary
This study demonstrates aluminum nitride (AlN) crystals as novel multifunctional optical sensors. These sensors show promising performance for temperature, pressure, and force detection in extreme environments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Aluminum nitride (AlN) is crucial for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
- Enhancing AlN with luminescence offers potential for intelligent sensors and displays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the first evidence of AlN crystals with mechanoluminescence (ML), photoluminescence (PL), and afterglow.
- To explore AlN's potential as multifunctional optical sensors for extreme environments.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized undoped AlN crystals (µm to mm scale) using physical vapor transport on tungsten substrates.
- Developed a multimodal optical sensing platform utilizing PL, afterglow, and ML.
Main Results:
- AlN crystals exhibited satisfactory ML, PL, and afterglow performance.
- The sensors showed excellent sensitivity to temperature and pressure, despite AlN's high bulk modulus.
- Distinct differences in PL and ML spectra were observed, linked to unique defect state activations.
Conclusions:
- AlN crystals show significant potential as novel multifunctional optical sensors.
- This work advances optical sensing technologies for extreme environments and force detection.
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