A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a breakthrough mid-infrared detection technology. (Image courtesy of KAIST)
DAEJEON, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) — A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a breakthrough mid-infrared detection technology that operates stably at room temperature, potentially paving the way for miniaturized optical sensors.
The technology draws comparisons to NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which uses mid-infrared wavelengths to penetrate cosmic dust and gas clouds more effectively than visible light, enabling precise analysis of molecular components like water vapor and sulfur dioxide in exoplanet atmospheres.
At the heart of this innovation is a high-sensitivity photodetector capable of capturing extremely faint light signals. Traditional mid-infrared detectors face significant limitations due to thermal noise at room temperature, requiring expensive cooling systems like liquid nitrogen that make miniaturization challenging.
Led by Kim Sanghyun, a professor of electrical engineering at KAIST, the team developed their photodetector using germanium, a Group 4 element like silicon that exhibits superior optical properties in the mid-infrared range. The device operates reliably at room temperature, marking a significant advance over existing technology.
The researchers explained that their detector employs the bolometric effect – where electrical resistance changes with temperature variations caused by light absorption. Unlike bandgap-based approaches that only detect specific wavelength ranges, this technology can cover the entire mid-infrared spectrum.
Importantly, the detector can be mass-produced at low cost using standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing processes. The team successfully demonstrated its practical application by developing a miniaturized optical sensor capable of real-time carbon dioxide detection.
“As a CMOS-compatible sensor technology that enables low-cost mass production, this breakthrough could find applications in next-generation environmental monitoring systems and smart manufacturing facilities,” Kim said.
The technology has potential applications across diverse fields, including environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, industrial process control, defense and security, and smart devices.
The research was published in the international journal Light: Science & Applications on March 19.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
