Researchers made a scientific breakthrough by discovering how to use existing semiconductors to detect wider ranges of light that are in the infrared range, according to a Georgia State news release published on April 13.
The scientists found a way to detect electromagnetic currents at a further distance than before by enhancing the semiconductor materials which will occasionally create electromagnetic currents, according to the news release.
The researchers were able to find a better way to detect electromagnetic currents by using a light source called a heat lam. The heat lam is able to emit short wavelengths of infrared radiation, a wavelength that cannot be seen with the human eye and has long wavelengths, according to Unil Perera, a Regents’ professor of physics at Georgia State who helped discover the device.
The research team also included Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and scientists from the University of Leeds in England.
“Our work shows a way to overcome that limit without changing the material. Hence already developed materials can be used to get infrared detection beyond the standard expected wavelength. We can also change (tune) the detection wavelength,” Perera said.
Some of the benefits the device will bring to people is the ability to detect particular wavelengths using already existing materials if wavelengths are able to reach farther in distance, according to Perera.
“The new and improved device can detect wavelengths up to at least the 55 micrometer range whereas before the same detector could only see wavelengths of about 4 micrometers. The team has run simulations showing that a refined version of the device could detect wavelengths up to 100 micrometers long,” the news release states.
