IIT Delhi Unveils Self-Powered Photodetector to Revolutionize Optical Communication

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 10 March 2025, 02:10:28 PM IST

IIT Delhi Unveils Self-Powered Photodetector to Revolutionize Optical Communication
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) declared the creation of an advanced photodetector that has the potential to greatly improve high-speed optical communication. The new device is powered without an external power source, with ultra-fast response and high sensitivity.
Photodetectors play a crucial role in optical communication because they transform light signals into electrical signals, which allow data to be transferred at high speeds. Conventional photodetectors tend to use external power and lose signals. But the recently discovered metal-semiconductor-insulator-metal (MSIM) photodetector removes these drawbacks, making it more efficient and dependable.
In contrast to traditional silicon (Si) and gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based photodetectors, which require high biasing voltage and are not very flexible, the MSIM photodetector operates based on photo-induced displacement current. This mechanism improves response time and efficiency.
The study, led by Dr. Rakesh Suthar and Suryakant Singh with the guidance of Professor Supravat Karak from the laboratory of organic and hybrid electronic devices, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, has been released in Advanced Functional Materials. A portion of the study was also performed at Japan's Nagoya University under the JSPS Invitational Fellow program with the group of Professor Kunio Awaga.
"Our aim was to create a high-speed, self-sustaining photodetector that can propel next-generation optical communications systems while being energy efficient", said Professor Karak.
Polymer PM6, acceptor Y6, and a dielectric parylene layer were applied by the team to fabricate a device having the ability to produce rapid transient photocurrent signals of opposite signs under light ON/OFF changes, thus allowing the signals to be more detectable. A high cutoff frequency of 5.6 MHz was attained with the device that surpassed most commercialized organic photodetectors.
The new photodetector has also been successfully tested for real-time infrared (IR) communication in ASCII codes, showing its capability for high-speed data transfer. Its self-sustaining nature, high sensitivity, and fast response make it a promising technology for energy-efficient optoelectronic applications.
This development can potentially have serious implications for quantum technology, particularly for single-photon detection and high-frequency communication. The team will carry out additional testing under the 'Quantum Mission' project, being spearheaded by IIT Delhi and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
"This work showcases the potential of organic semiconductors in the development of energy-efficient and ultra-fast optoelectronic devices, which will greatly improve high-speed communication and sensing technologies", Dr. Suthar added.
IIT Delhi’s breakthrough marks a major step forward in next-generation optical communication, offering new possibilities for faster and more reliable data transfer systems.
 

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