Use Quantum Dots to detect or store information 1

Use Quantum Dots to detect or store information
18.05.17 | Editor: Hendrik Härter

Fraunhofer researchers have developed an electro-optical transducer based on Quantum Dots. This allows information to be detected or temporarily stored.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nanosystems ENAS have developed an electro-optical converter based on Quantum Dots. Electrical information can thus be detected or temporarily stored without further energy consumption during this time period.

In addition, it is possible to optically display or read the information thus stored at a later point in time. The core of the material-integrated sensor system is a double layer consisting of a piezoelectric layer and a quantum dot-polymer composite.

State or load of mechanical components

A possible application, for example with the use of a force-sensitive element, is to use the stored information as an indicator of the condition or the load on a mechanical component. The technology is also suitable for passive displays.

The basis for this is a sensor film developed jointly by Fraunhofer ENAS and the Center for Microtechnologies of the Chemnitz University of Technology using Quantum Dots. In the initial state, UV light is converted into visible light with an initial brightness (photoluminescence). The conversion process of photoluminescence is prevented by injection of electric charge carriers into the quantum dots via the electrode system. The consequence is a scalable brightness reduction of the visible light as a function of the injected charge quantity.

http://www.elektronikpraxis.vogel.de/sensorik...es/609604/