Nature Photonics Publishes Paper, “Sensitive X-Ray Detectors Made of Methylammonium Lead Tribromide Perovskite Single Crystals” Co-Authored by Cao

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Associate Professor Lei R. Cao is part of a team of researchers led by Jinsong Huang of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln whose paper was published on March 21 in the journal, Nature PhotonicsThe research team has discovered that a new, highly-sensitive detector for X-rays, based on a single crystalline perovskite, can detect a stronger signal from each photon passing through a patient -- indicating the detector will enable imaging with smaller doses of ionizing radiation, thus reducing cancer risk.

The study, “Sensitive X-Ray Detectors Made of Methylammonium Lead Tribromide Perovskite Single Crystals,” demonstrated that the perovskite-based X-ray detector is four times more sensitive than the most commonly used X-ray imager material, amorphous selenium.

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“While it is known that a minimum number of X-ray photons are needed to cover all the possible locations on the detector because they come randomly in space,” Dr. Cao said.  “It is still possible to ensure that every uncollided  X-ray photon is captured by the X-ray imager.”  Methylammonium lead tribromide perovskite has high-Z constituents to the advantage of photoelectric effects, which is one of the three major gamma photon interaction mechanisms that would induce a full energy absorption locally. Other advantages are contributed to the thick materials and a better carrier collection with single crystal, a solution-growth method developed by Dr. Huang’s group, as well as the surface passivation techniques demonstrated in the paper by collaborators. The work is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, for which Dr. Cao is a co-investigator.

Cao founded the Nuclear Analysis and Radiation Sensor (NARS) Laboratory at The Ohio State University in 2010, including an external neutron beam facility at the Ohio State University Research Reactor (OSURR).  Cao conducts research at the intersection of nuclear, materials science and physics, specifically, the study of applied radiological nuclear physics and radiation science in addressing the challenging national need for counter nuclear threats, safe production of nuclear energy and characterizing materials’ property with nuclear methods, including the development of novel sensors to detect neutrons, gamma and X-rays.

About Nature Photonics

Nature Photonics is a peer-reviewed, scientific journal published by the Nature Publishing Group dedicated to the field of photonics – the scientific study and application of light – offering top-quality, research in all areas of light generation, manipulation and detection.  In print and online, the journal reflects the entire spectrum of photonics and optics.  To learn more, click here.

 

Category: Faculty