Team Members

The Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Team currently consists of 13 members. By educational background, there are 3 Ph.D.s, 8 Masters, and 2 Bachelor's degree holders. By professional title, there are 3 researchers/senior engineers (professor level), 2 associate researchers/senior engineers, and 8 members with mid-level or lower titles. The team members have extensive research and development experience in atomic layer deposition technology, optoelectronic materials, novel optoelectronic devices, electronics, and optoelectronic imaging/detection systems.

Project Introduction

The Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Nanophotonic Functional Thin Film Materials and Novel Photodetector Devices project utilizes ALD technology to explore new mechanisms, processes, and technologies for nanophotonic functional thin films. The project aims to develop new optical glass materials and microchannel array devices, high-performance electron multiplication dynode materials and devices, TOF 3D LiDAR imaging detectors, high-conversion-efficiency neutron-sensitive materials and devices, as well as a series of time-resolved Raman spectrometers. These innovations aim to establish core competitiveness in fields such as biomedicine, security inspections, low-light detection, high-energy physics, and deep-space exploration.

Project Significance

Traditional microchannel plates are limited by their manufacturing processes and technologies, with their performance approaching theoretical limits. They suffer from inherent drawbacks such as low gain, high background noise, and short lifespans, as well as poor repeatability and stability. As the requirements for time/space resolution, background noise, large area arrays, and longevity of photodetector devices become increasingly stringent, the inherent limitations of traditional lead silicate glass microchannel plates hinder further development and application. The novel microchannel plates prepared using atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology offer a 10-15 times higher gain compared to conventional lead glass microchannel plate products, and the dark current is reduced by two orders of magnitude relative to traditional MCPs. This type of new microchannel plate photodetector device is a critical foundational component for emerging strategic industries such as quantum communication, ultraviolet communication, and third/fourth-generation low-light night vision. It is also a key component in neutron and X-ray detection, with significant market value and commercial prospects.

High conversion efficiency neutron-sensitive materials and devices represent the cutting edge of neutron imaging detection products, capable of achieving high spatial resolution (<36 μm) and neutron detection efficiency (80% for cold neutrons, 70% for thermal neutrons). The development of high conversion efficiency neutron detection imaging devices in this project will provide advanced technological means for material characterization and non-destructive testing, promoting the advancement of materials science, biomedicine, and other fields.

Raman spectrometers are widely used in qualitative and quantitative analysis in fields such as scientific research, biomedicine, environmental protection, food safety, and deep space exploration. They are known for being fast, simple, repeatable, and non-destructive. The picosecond time-resolved Raman spectrometer developed in this project originates from long-term accumulation and innovation in ultra-short pulse laser technology and time-resolved single-photon detection technology. Through picosecond time-gating methods, it significantly enhances signal strength, effectively suppresses fluorescence interference and environmental stray light, and largely addresses issues with domestic Raman spectrometers. This project enables the independent development of high-end spectrometers, breaking the monopoly of foreign high-end Raman spectrometers.

Potential Market

Microchannel plates and devices, with their high gain, high temporal resolution, and high spatial resolution, can be applied in low-light night vision, medical diagnostics, spectral analysis, environmental monitoring, high-energy physics detection, and other fields.

The principle of neutron radiography involves the intensity attenuation of a neutron beam passing through an object, which is used to create an image reflecting the internal material distribution, density, and various defects within the sample. As a non-destructive testing technique, neutron radiography has extensive application demands in construction, archaeology, biology, automotive industry, medicine, materials science, electronics, petroleum, chemical engineering, metallurgy, energy storage, and other sectors. High-end neutron-sensitive microchannel plates and detectors are currently monopolized by companies such as Nova Scientific in the United States and Photonis in France, with no domestic alternatives. The high conversion efficiency neutron-sensitive materials and devices developed in this project can achieve high positional resolution (36 μm) and neutron detection efficiency (80% for cold neutrons, 70% for thermal neutrons), offering significant potential markets and excellent prospects for industrial application.

The picosecond time-resolved Raman spectrometer is a transformative product that originates from long-term accumulation and innovation in ultra-short pulse laser technology and time-resolved single-photon detection technology. It overcomes bottlenecks in traditional Raman spectroscopy, including weak signals, strong background fluorescence, environmental light interference, and long analysis times. It is not constrained by working environment and offers broader application areas.

Research Direction

1、 Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Nanophotonic Functional Thin Film Materials

Develop growth processes and equipment for thin film materials with excellent properties. In alignment with the strategic development plans of Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, focus on the development and application of new nanophotonic functional materials, two-dimensional semiconductor optoelectronic materials, and special coating materials.

2、Novel Photodetector Devices

（1）Novel Optical Glass Materials, Micro-Pore Arrays, and New Electron Multiplier Devices

Breakthrough in the fabrication process for large-size, small-aperture microchannel arrays to realize the development of micro-pore array gene chips and high-performance microchannel array devices. Combined with atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, we develop high secondary electron emission, high-resolution, low-noise, and long-life electron multiplier devices.

（2）High Quantum Efficiency Semiconductor Photodetector

Explore the mechanisms and limiting factors affecting the performance enhancement of semiconductor photonic cathode substrate materials and photonic devices. Study the effects of material composition, structural dimensions, strain, temperature, doping, and defects on key performance parameters of photonic devices. Develop long-life, high quantum efficiency, and high-resolution image photodetectors.

（3）High Conversion Efficiency Neutron Detection Device

Based on atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, we aim to overcome the technical challenges of developing high-detection-efficiency neutron-sensitive devices. We conduct research on gamma signal suppression mechanisms to address issues related to gamma noise interference. Our goal is to develop high-conversion-efficiency neutron detection devices and neutron imaging detection systems.               

3、Remote Time-Resolved Raman Spectrometer

To address the needs for remote time-resolved Raman spectroscopy technology in public safety, scientific research, biomedicine, and other fields, we conduct research on enhancing trace material Raman signals. This aims to solve challenges such as weak signals, environmental stray light, and fluorescence interference during remote detection of trace substances under outdoor natural conditions. We develop a miniaturized time-resolved Raman spectroscopy detection system prototype and demonstrate its application in security screening and other areas.