Engineers Create Fastest And Most Flexible Phototransistor, Ever Made

Electrical engineers have created a one of the fastest and most flexible silicon phototransistors, which has features like a mammalian eye, according to a study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"This demonstration shows great potential in high-performance and flexible photodetection systems," said Zhenqiang "Jack" Ma, who helped developed phototransistor, in a news release.

"It shows the capabilities of high-sensitivity photodetection and stable performance under bending conditions, which have never been achieved at the same time," said Ma, who is a professor of electrical and computer engineering.

The new phototransistor could significantly improve the performance of myriad products, such as night vision goggles, digital cameras and smoke detectors, surveillance systems and satellites, which use electronic light sensors, according to the researchers.

If the new phototransistor is used in digital cameras, it could significantly reduce the bulkiness and increase the speed and quality of photos and videos.

The new advanced phototransistor's flexibility and performance exceeds other types of phototransistors, and it is more like a pair of human eyes, according to the researchers. .

Phototransistors detect and pick up light and then convert that light into an electric charge proportional to its intensity and wavelength. This is similar to our eyes, where the electric pulses send the image to the brain. In a digital camera, this electric charge creates a digital image (through a bunch of 1s and 0s), according to the researchers.

"We actually can make the curve any shape we like to fit the optical system," Ma said. "Currently, there's no easy way to do that."

The researchers published details of their advance this week in the journal Advanced Optical Materials.

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