Femtosecond UV-C: New Era for Laser Tech

Researchers have unveiled a novel platform capable of generating and detecting ultrafast UV-C laser pulses, marking a significant leap in photonic technology. This innovative system, developed by teams at the University of Nottingham and Imperial College London, utilizes atomically-thin 2D semiconductors for highly sensitive detection at room temperature. The pulsed laser light, lasting mere femtoseconds, is produced through advanced nonlinear optical processes, setting the stage for new applications.

The detection of these ultrashort pulses is achieved using photodetectors based on gallium selenide and its oxide layer. Crucially, all materials employed are amenable to scalable manufacturing, indicating a clear path towards practical implementation beyond laboratory settings. A successful free-space communication demonstration underscored the system's potential, with information encoded and decoded using the UV-C laser and semiconductor sensor.

This development promises to accelerate advancements in UV-C photonics, enabling integrated light sources and detectors for applications such as autonomous system communication, broad-band imaging, and ultrafast spectroscopy. The efficiency and compatibility with existing manufacturing techniques position this technology for widespread adoption and further optimization.