Single Microwire Research Articles

Flexible Single Microwire X-Ray Detector with Ultrahigh Sensitivity for Portable Radiation Detection System.

Sensitive, flexible, and low false alarm rate X-ray detector is crucial for medical diagnosis, industrial inspection, and scientific research. However, most semiconductors for X-ray detectors are susceptible to interference from ambient light, and their high thickness hinders their application in wearable electronics. Herein, a flexible visible-blind and ultraviolet-blind X-ray detector based on Indium-doped Gallium oxide (Ga2O3:In) single microwire is prepared. Joint experiment-theory characterizations reveal that the Ga2O3:In microwire possess a high crystal quality, large band gap, and satisfactory stability, and reliability. On this basis, an extraordinary sensitivity of 5.9×105µCGyair -1cm-2 and a low detection limit of 67.4nGyairs-1 are achieved based on the prepared Ag/Ga2O3:In/Ag device, which has outstanding operation stability and excellent high temperature stability. Taking advantage of the flexible properties of the single microwire, a portable X-ray detection system is demonstrated that shows the potential to adapt to flexible and lightweight formats. The proposed X-ray detection system enables real-time monitor for X-rays, which can be displayed on the user interface. More importantly, it has excellent resistance to natural light interference, showing a low false alarm rate. This work provides a feasible method for exploring high-performance flexible integrated micro/nano X-ray detection devices.

Solar-Powered Molecular Crystal Motor Based on an Anthracene-Thiazolidinedione Photoisomerization Reaction.

Assembling molecular machines into crystals provides a way to harness their power on large length scales, but the development of a crystal analogue to a molecular motor remains a challenge. The molecule (Z)-5-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene)-3-butylthiazolidine-2,4-dione (C4-ATD) has E and Z isomers with strongly overlapping absorption spectra. This spectroscopic property allows both Z → E and E → Z photoisomerization reactions to be driven by a single light source, and simulations indicate this property can provide a route to robust oscillatory motion. Reprecipitation in an aqueous surfactant enables the growth of single crystal microwires that exhibit continuous mechanical oscillations under a wide range of illumination conditions, including ambient solar irradiation. Molecular crystal motors provide a new approach for transforming continuous light into oscillatory mechanical motion.

Integrating interface engineering and plasmonic effect to boost photoresponse performance of ZnO:Ga/GaN heterojunction self-powered UV photodetectors

The ability to function without an external power supply makes photodetectors highly promising for use in a new generation of wirelessly and independently operated ultraviolet (UV) photodetection and imaging systems. However, self-powered photodetectors' high dark current, inadequate light harvesting, and poor carrier separation prevent them from attaining high-efficiency UV photodetection and imaging. Herein, a high-performance heterojunction UV photodetector consisting of a single Ga-doped ZnO microwire enshrouded by Ag nanowires (AgNWs@ZnO:Ga MW), a MgO electron blocking layer, and a p-type GaN wafer was proposed. Taking full advantage of the interface engineering and plasmonic effects, the AgNWs@ZnO:Ga MW/MgO/GaN photodetector achieves high photodetection performance with an excellent responsivity of 262 mA/W, a remarkable external quantum efficiency of 92.37%, and a high detectivity of 1.966 × 1012 Jones under 370 nm illumination with power density of 0.22 mW/cm2. Furthermore, it also demonstrates ultrafast pulsed photoresponse speed with a rise/fall time of 3.64 μs/252 μs. An UV imaging system is designed based on the AgNWs@ZnO:Ga MW/MgO/GaN self-powered photodetector, allowing for high-quality, accurate, and distinct object imaging. This work combines interface engineering and plasmonic effects for achieving high-performance UV photodetection, which provides a strategic approach to the development of highly efficient optoelectronic devices.

Switching from Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence in Single Crystals for Low‐Threshold Laser to Room‐temperature Phosphorescence in Amorphous‐Film for Highly Efficient OLEDs

AbstractMetal‐organic phosphorescent complexes containing Ir or Pt are work horse in organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) technology, which can harvest both singlet and triplet excitons in electroluminescence (EL) owing to strong heavy‐atom effect. Recently, organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (ORTP) have achieved high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in rigid crystalline state, which, however, is unsuitable for OLED fabrication, therefore leading to an EL efficiency far low behind those of metal‐organic phosphorescent complexes. Here, we reported a luminescence mechanism switch from thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in single crystal microwires to ORTP in amorphous thin‐films, based on a tert‐butylcarbazole difluoroboron β‐diketonate derivative of DtCzBF2. Tightly packed and well‐faceted single‐crystal microwires exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE), enabling TADF microlasers at 473 nm with an optical gain coefficient as high as 852 cm−1. In contrast, loosely packed dimers of DtCzBF2 formed in guest‐host amorphous thin‐films decrease the oscillator strength of fluorescence transition but stabilize triplets for ORTP with a PLQY up to 61 %, leading to solution‐processed OLEDs with EQE approaching 20 %. This study opens possibilities of low‐cost ORTP emitters for high performance OLEDs and future low‐threshold electrically injected organic semiconductor lasers (OSLs).

Switching from Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence in Single Crystals for Low-Threshold Laser to Room-temperature Phosphorescence in Amorphous-Film for Highly Efficient OLEDs.

Metal-organic phosphorescent complexes containing Ir or Pt are work horse in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, which can harvest both singlet and triplet excitons in electroluminescence (EL) owing to strong heavy-atom effect. Recently, organic room-temperature phosphorescence (ORTP) have achieved high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in rigid crystalline state, which, however, is unsuitable for OLED fabrication, therefore leading to an EL efficiency far low behind those of metal-organic phosphorescent complexes. Here, we reported a luminescence mechanism switch from thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in single crystal microwires to ORTP in amorphous thin-films, based on a tert-butylcarbazole difluoroboron β-diketonate derivative of DtCzBF2. Tightly packed and well-faceted single-crystal microwires exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE), enabling TADF microlasers at 473 nm with an optical gain coefficient as high as 852 cm-1 . In contrast, loosely packed dimers of DtCzBF2 formed in guest-host amorphous thin-films decrease the oscillator strength of fluorescence transition but stabilize triplets for ORTP with a PLQY up to 61 %, leading to solution-processed OLEDs with EQE approaching 20 %. This study opens possibilities of low-cost ORTP emitters for high performance OLEDs and future low-threshold electrically injected organic semiconductor lasers (OSLs).

Ultraviolet sensing based on an in-fiber ZnO microwire constructed Mach–Zehnder interferometer

We propose a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on an in-fiber ZnO microwire structure for ultraviolet sensing. The device undergoes femtosecond laser micromachining and chemical etching on a single-mode optical fiber initially, creating a microgroove that extends to half of the core’s depth, into which a single ZnO microwire is transferred. The ZnO microwire and the remaining core are used as the sensing arm and the reference arm, respectively, forming a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. To enhance the stability and the sensitivity, ZnO nanoparticles are filled into the microgroove after the ZnO microwire is transferred. The fabricated device exhibits a sensitivity of 0.86 nm/(W·cm−2) for ultraviolet sensing, along with a response time of 115 ns (rise time) and 133 µs (decay time), respectively. The proposed sensor exhibits good ultraviolet sensitivity, offering a novel approach for ultraviolet sensing technology.

Smart-Responsive HOF Heterostructures with Multiple Spatial-Resolved Emission Modes toward Photonic Security Platform.

Luminescent hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) with the unique dynamics and versatile functional sites hold great potential application in information security, yet most of responsive HOFs focus on the single-component framework with restrained emission control, limiting further applications in advanced confidential information protection. Herein, the first smart-responsive HOF heterostructure with multiple spatial-resolved emission modes for covert photonic security platform is reported. The HOF heterostructures are prepared by integrating different HOFs into a single microwire based on a hydrogen-bond-assisted epitaxial growth method. The distinct responsive behaviors of HOFs permit the heterostructure to simultaneously display the thermochromism via the framework transformation and the acidichromism via the protonation effect, thus generating multiple emission modes. The dual stimuli-controlled spatial-resolved emission modes constitute the fingerprint of a heterostructure, and enable the establishment of the smart-responsive photonic barcode with multiple convert states, which further demonstrate the dynamic coding capability and enhanced security in anticounterfeiting label applications. These results offer a promising route to design function-oriented smart responsive HOF microdevices toward advanced anticounterfeiting applications.

Negative temperature coefficient of ZnO microwires for cryogenic temperature sensing

Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors are expected to be developed at cryogenic temperature sensing. In this paper, a kind of cryogenic thermistor was developed based on NTC response of single crystal ZnO microwires (MWs). The current–voltage (I–V) characterization demonstrated a NTC response, which was temperature dependence of resistance that decreased with increasing temperature. A sensitive NTC response, especially at the cryogenic temperature range, was observed. The defects in ZnO MWs play an important role in NTC response; therefore, we studied the origin of NTC effect associated with defects to improve the recognition of relationship between defects and the NTC effect and further optimize the temperature sensor design for high performance. Annealing at 800 °C in air was undertaken to make a significant influence on the concentration of defects in as-grown sample, and a series of temperature-dependent features were investigated by photoluminescence, Raman, XPS, and EPR measurements. The results indicated the zinc interstitials to be effective donors for sensitive NTC effect at the cryogenic region. This study provides insight into the ZnO NTC effect and sensitive cryogenic sensing technology.

Polymer-Gated Transistors with Only One Solution-Processed, Single Crystalline Organic Microwire for Light and Oxygen Detection.

Organic semiconductors employed in single crystalline form have several advantages over polycrystalline films, such as higher charge carrier mobility and better environmental stability. Herein, we report the fabrication and characterization of a solution-processed microsized single-crystalline organic wire of n-type N,N'-dipentyl-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C5). The crystal was applied as an active layer in polymer-gated organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic complementary inverter circuits. The single crystaiiline nature of PTCDI-C5 wires were characterized using two-dimensional grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction (2D-GIXD) and polarized optical microscopy. OFETs with the PTCDI-C5 crystals exhibited high n-type performance and air stability under ambient conditions. To investigate the electrical properties of the single-crystalline PTCDI-C5 wire more precisely, OFETs with only one PTCDI-C5 microwire in the channel were fabricated, and clear n-type characteristics with satisfactory saturation behavior were observed. The device with only one crystal wire exhibited characteristics with significantly lower variation compared to the multicrystal devices, which shows that the density of crystal wires is a critical factor in precisely investigating device performance. The devices exhibited a reversible threshold voltage shift under vacuum and oxygen conditions, without changing the charge carrier mobility. Light-sensitive characteristics were also observed. Additionally, this solution-processed, highly crystalline organic semiconductor can be used in high-performance organic electronic circuits as well as in gas or light sensors.

Improvement of electron mobility of mesoporous PCN-600 single crystal microwires aligned via the steric hindrance effect

One of mesoporous iron-based porphyrin metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, namely, PCN-600 exhibits one-dimensional channels, and features high stability in acid-base solutions and very high pore volume. It would be potentially applied in catalysis, lithium storage, solar cells, etc. However, when this material is prepared as a thin film, the thin film is usually un-oriented and its electron mobility is not strong enough. In this work, needle-like mesoporous PCN-600 single crystal microwires are first prepared via the solvothermal method with optimized synthesis procedure. Then, the acetone molecules adsorbed on the surface of adjacent PCN-600 microwires undergo the aldol condensation reaction under the catalysis of hydrochloric acid, and 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-pentanone-2 molecules are synthesized between adjacent PCN-600 microwires. Via the steric hindrance effect induced by 4-hydroxy-4-methylpentanone-2, the PCN-600 microwires are aligned to construct an array. Finally, the PCN-600 microwire array is transferred to an ITO substrate by a dipping method to form an oriented PCN-600 thin film. To demonstrate the feasibility of this oriented PCN-600 thin film applied in solar cells, its electron mobility is measured to be 117 ​cm2/Vs, which is twice that of poorly oriented film.

First-Order Reversal Curves of Sets of Bistable Magnetostrictive Microwires.

Amorphous microwires have attracted substantial attention in the past decade because of their useful technological applications. Their bistable magnetic response is determined by positive or negative magnetostriction, respectively. First-order reversal curves (FORC) are a powerful tool for analyzing the magnetization reversal processes of many-body ferromagnetic systems that are essential for a deeper understanding of those applications. After theoretical considerations about magnetostatic interactions among microwires, this work introduces a systematic experimental study and analysis of the FORC diagrams for magnetostrictive microwires exhibiting an individually bistable hysteresis loop, from a single microwire to sets of an increasing number of coupled microwires, the latter considered as an intermediate case to the standard many-body problem. We performed the study for sets of quasi-identical and different hysteretic microwires where we obtained the coercivity Hc and interaction Hu fields. In the cases with relevant magnetostatic interactions, FORC analysis supplies deeper information than standard hysteresis loops since the intrinsic fluctuations of the switching field generate a complex response. For sets of microwires with very different coercivity, the coercivity distributions of the individual microwires characterize the FORC diagram.

High-Sensitivity Wireless Sensing Using Amorphous Magnetic Microwires

Glass-coated amorphous ferromagnetic microwires subjected to variations in mass loading and parallel wire arrays with 0.5–6-cm interwire spacing were found to deliver exceptional magnetomechanical and wireless giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) responses, in the kilohertz and microwave range, respectively. The microwires allow wireless quantification of microgram mass differences: the magnetomechanical resonance frequency measured in zero applied field demonstrates an approximately linear decrease of 3 Hz/ <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{g}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , and a sensitivity response that is ten times greater than that reported for commercial METGLAS-type amorphous magnetic ribbons of comparable length. Microwave giant magnetoimpedance data collected from planar arrays of parallel microwires show either constructive or destructive interference when compared to data obtained from a single microwire. The exceptional responsiveness of the glass-coated amorphous ferromagnetic microwires to mass loading and to geometric arrangement, along with their small diameter and ease of fabrication, highlights their promise for a wide variety of sensor applications, including biosensing, civil infrastructure monitoring, and high-throughput remote detection schemes.

High-photosensitive ultraviolet photodetector based on an n-ZnO microwire/p-InGaN heterojunction

Researchers have focused on the achievement of high-performance self-biasing ultraviolet photodetectors because of their significance in scientific research and realistic applications. Herein, we proposed and constructed a high-photosensing ultraviolet photodetector, which is made of a single ZnO microwire doped by Ga (ZnO:Ga MW) and p-type InGaN layer. The carefully designed n -ZnO:Ga MW/p-InGaN heterostructure device can sensitively monitor a broadband wavelengths of light in the range of 300–500 nm. The photodetector can also operate in self-biased and reversely biased modes. Especially for the photoelectrical measurements operated in a self-driving manner, the device exhibits excellent photodetection performances, containing a maximum responsivity of 217 mA/W, a photodetectivity of 4.57 × 10 12 Jones, a fast response speed (the rising/decaying times ∼175 μs/30 m) and a high I on /I off ratio of about 6.5 × 10 4 upon 360 nm light illumination. The broadband and ultraviolet spectrum-selective photoresponse of the single ZnO:Ga wire heterojunction detector was principally derived from the resulting combination of ultraviolet-sensitive ZnO:Ga microstructures and ultraviolet–visible-sensitive capability of InGaN materials. Furthermore, the as-proposed n -ZnO:Ga/p-InGaN heterojunction could be functioned as an electrical power source with output voltage of about 1.18 V. This study may enable a potential significance in achieving high-performance self-driving ultraviolet photodetector, and other cost-effective and multifunctional optoelectronic devices. • Catalyst-free growth of ZnO:Ga microwires was achieved using a facile CVD method. • The proposed n -ZnO:Ga MW/p-InGaN heterojunction can sensitively monitor a broadband wavelengths of ultraviolet–visible light. • The photodetector can operated in a self-driving manner, exhibiting excellent and competitive photodetection performances. • The n -ZnO:Ga MW/p-InGaN heterojunction can be employed as a miniature photo-induced power unit with a stable output voltage of about 1.18 V.

Exciton-polariton light-emitting diode based on a single ZnO superlattice microwire heterojunction with performance enhanced by Rh nanostructures.

One-dimensional (1D) wirelike superlattice micro/nanostructures have received considerable attention for potential applications due to their versatility and capability for modulating optical and electrical characteristics. In this study, 1D superlattice microwires (MWs), which are made of undoped ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO with periodic and alternating crystalline layers (ZnO/ZnO:Ga), were synthesized individually. Under optical excitation, a series of resonance peaks in the photoluminescence spectrum can be ascribed to polariton emission, which originates from the coupling interaction of the 1D photonic crystal and confined excitons along the wire direction. Using a p-type GaN layer as the hole transport layer, a kind of waveguide light source based on an individual ZnO/ZnO:Ga superlattice MW was proposed and constructed. By analysing the spatially resolved electroluminescence spectra, the observed multipeak was ascribed to exciton-polariton emission with a vacuum Rabi splitting of about 275 meV. Cladding with Rh nanostructures gives rise to appropriate ultraviolet plasmons, and the Rabi splitting energy of our device was enhanced up to 413 meV. The exciton-polariton properties were further examined using angle-resolved electroluminescence measurements. Therefore, individual superlattice MWs can act as optical microresonators to achieve photon-exciton coupling with a large Rabi splitting energy. The experimental results indicate that an individual ZnO/ZnO:Ga superlattice MW can be generally used in developing exciton-polariton luminescence/lasing light sources, particularly for constructing low-threshold/thresholdless lasers toward pragmatic applications.

Single‐Crystalline Layered Metal‐Halide Perovskite Microwires with Intercalated Molecules for Ultraviolet Photodetectors

AbstractIntercalation regulation is a special way to tune the photophysical properties of perovskite without changing the organic cations. Here, it is found that dimethyl sulfoxide can be effectively intercalated into synthesized (OHC6H5CH2CH2NH3)2PbBr4 perovskite through hydrogen bonds between organic spacer layers and solvent molecules. The new intercalated perovskite can be stored for more than two months under a relative humidity of about 60% at room temperature without encapsulation. The single crystal microwire array device based on this special structure presents photoelectric response of a light on/off ratio of 400 under 365 nm irradiation at 3 V. The device has a low dark current of 10−13 A. Moreover, the inserted solvent molecules can be removed from the perovskite or reinserted into the perovskite under different processing conditions. The results show the potential to regulate the optoelectronic properties of perovskites by reversibly binding intercalated molecules with perovskites.

Hierarchical Integration of Organic Core/Shell Microwires for Advanced Photonics.

The combination of multiple components or structures into integrated micro/nanostructures for practical application has been pursued for many years. Herein, a series of hierarchical organic microwires with branch, core/shell (C/S), and branch C/S structures are successfully constructed based on organic charge transfer (CT) cocrystals with structural similarity and physicochemical tunability. By regulating the intermolecular CT interaction, single microwires and branch microstructures can be integrated into the C/S and branch C/S structures, respectively. Significantly, the integrated branch C/S microwires, with multicolor waveguide behavior and branch structure multichannel waveguide output characteristics, can function as an optical logic gate with multiple encoding features. This work provides useful insights for creating completely new types of organic microstructures for integrated optoelectronics.

Hierarchical Integration of Organic Core/Shell Microwires for Advanced Photonics

AbstractThe combination of multiple components or structures into integrated micro/nanostructures for practical application has been pursued for many years. Herein, a series of hierarchical organic microwires with branch, core/shell (C/S), and branch C/S structures are successfully constructed based on organic charge transfer (CT) cocrystals with structural similarity and physicochemical tunability. By regulating the intermolecular CT interaction, single microwires and branch microstructures can be integrated into the C/S and branch C/S structures, respectively. Significantly, the integrated branch C/S microwires, with multicolor waveguide behavior and branch structure multichannel waveguide output characteristics, can function as an optical logic gate with multiple encoding features. This work provides useful insights for creating completely new types of organic microstructures for integrated optoelectronics.

Double-Cavity Modulation of Exciton Polaritons in CsPbBr3 Microwire.

The lead halide perovskite has become a promising candidate for the study of exciton polaritons due to their excellent optical properties. Here, both experimental and simulated results confirm the existence of two kinds of Fabry-Pérot microcavities in a single CsPbBr3 microwire with an isosceles right triangle cross section, and we experimentally demonstrate that confined photons in a straight and a folded Fabry-Pérot microcavity are strongly coupled with excitons to form exciton polaritons. Furthermore, we reveal the polarization characteristic and double-cavity modulation of exciton polaritons emission by polarization-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results not only prove that the modulation of exciton polaritons emission can occur in this simple double-cavity system but also provide a possibility to develop related polariton devices.

High-performance ultraviolet photodetector based on p-PEDOT:PSS film/p-ZnO:Sb microwire/n-Si double heterojunction

The development of high-sensitivity ultraviolet photodetectors, which can be compatible with the existing Si-based technique, is highly desirable in advanced applications. In this study, a double heterojunction ultraviolet photodetection device consisting of an ITO conductive glass covered by a layer of p-type poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) polymer film, a single p-type Sb-doped ZnO microwire (ZnO:Sb MW), and an n-type Si substrate was proposed and demonstrated. Using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and carbon nanohorn (CNHs) as treated solvent, the electrical properties of PEDOT:PSS polymer film were positively increased. Correspondingly, the treated photodetector exhibited a strongest photoresponsivity of approximately 737.8 A/W and largest external quantum efficiency (EQE) of approximately 2.6 × 105%, which were significantly higher than those of the pristine devices. Besides, the transient response manifests its highly-stable and faster photoresponse speed of rising/falling times of ∼67 μs/2.29 ms. The enhanced photoresponse properties are attributed to the increased electrical properties of the DMSO&CNHs co-treated PEDOT:PSS film. Especially, the p-p heterojunction formed at the PEDOT:PSS/ZnO:Sb heterointerface, can effectively accelerate the transport of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, thus reducing the recombination probability. The proposed double heterojunction that meeting the criteria of low-cost and eco-friendly would be a competitive option for the large-scale fabrication of high-performance ultraviolet photodetectors, which are efficient and compatible with the existing Si-based integrated circuit technology.

Classification of slip system interaction in microwires under torsion

Microwires have become of increasing interest for the miniaturization of structural components. A profound understanding of the deformation behavior of microwires is important for the assessment of their applicability and lifetime in specific components. In particular, the deformation behavior under torsional loading and the associated microstructure evolution are of interest. The exact involvement of individual slip systems and their activities in the complex stress field under torsional loading are mostly unknown. In this paper, the microstructure evolution of single crystalline gold microwires under torsion have been analyzed for the high-symmetry crystal orientations 〈100〉, 〈110〉, and 〈111〉 using simulation and experimental results. It is shown that a classification of the slip systems can be derived a priori by theoretical considerations. It is found, that the slip system activity, stress relaxation mechanism, as well as screw and edge composition of the piled-up dislocation density depends on specific slip system groups. Furthermore, the misorientation and its rotational axes including the identification of the slip system activities are discussed.