Add BrightSurf on Google Email

ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences


Infrared heavy-metal-free quantum dots deliver sensitive and fast sensors for eye-safe LIDAR applications

Scientists have created a new method to create silver telluride colloidal quantum dots that overcome challenges of high dark current, limited linear dynamic range, and response speed. The team developed the first proof-of-concept SWIR LIDAR using these non-toxic materials, measuring distances over 10 meters with decimetre resolution.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 3, 2025

Scientists develop cost-effective lasers for extended SWIR applications

Scientists have created cost-effective lasers for the extended Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) range by utilizing colloidal quantum dots. This breakthrough addresses scalability and affordability challenges in current laser technologies, enabling diverse applications such as hazardous gas detection, eye-safe LIDAR systems, and advanced phot...

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 10, 2024

New performance record for eco-friendly nanocrystal solar cells

ICFO researchers have reported on a post-deposition in situ passivation strategy that improves surface passivation, yielding nanocrystal ink films with enhanced optoelectronic properties. This approach has led to the development of ultrathin solar cells with higher power conversion efficiency than their multi-step deposition counterparts.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 24, 2024

New four-terminal tandem organic solar cell achieves 16,94% power conversion efficiency

Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal tandem organic solar cell with a high power conversion efficiency of 16.94%, achieving a significant improvement over previous records for four-terminal tandem devices. The device features an ultrathin transparent silver electrode, enabling efficient light transmission and operation.

Attoscience unveils a light-matter hybrid phase in graphite reminiscent of superconductivity

ICFO researchers observed a light-induced increase and control of conductivity in graphite by manipulating its many-body state, showing signatures of superconductivity. The study uses attosecond soft-X-ray pulses to probe electronic dynamics, providing new insights into material properties and quantum states.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2023

Researchers show radical improvement of ultra-broadband photodetection with a device based on Twisted Double Bilayer Graphene

A new device based on twisted double bilayer graphene has been developed, showing radical improvement in ultra-broadband photodetection. The device can detect light efficiently over a wide spectral range, from far-terahertz to near-infrared, with good internal quantum efficiency and scalability.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 21, 2023

Achieving a quantum fiber

ICFO researchers successfully demonstrate transport of two-photon quantum states through a phase-separated Anderson localization optical fiber, showing maintained spatial anti-correlation. The phase-separated fiber enables efficient transmission of quantum information via Corning's optical fiber.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalCommunications Physics·DateNov 23, 2022

Quantum dots enable infrared lasing at room temperature for silicon photonics

Colloidal quantum dot technology enables infrared lasing at room temperature, paving the way for low-cost solution-processed and CMOS integrated lasing sources. The breakthrough discovery may facilitate fully integrated silicon photonics, enabling lower power consumption, higher data rates, and multi-spectral 3D imaging capabilities.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Determining the structure of a molecule with laser-induced electron diffraction

Scientists successfully applied novel approach to imaging gas-phased molecule Carbonyl Sulfide, revealing a significantly bent and asymmetrically stretched configuration of the ionized OCS+ structure. The ZCP-LIED technique retrieves accurate and precise information about atomic structure without exact knowledge over the laser field.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2021