The realm of advanced scientific research has recently witnessed an exciting breakthrough at Bengaluru’s Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). Researchers have discovered an extraordinary material that can convert infrared light into renewable energy. This remarkable achievement is a result of the scientists’ ability to utilize polariton excitations, a scientific phenomenon observable in tailored materials. The novel material goes by the name of “single-crystalline scandium nitride (ScN)”.
Understanding Infrared Light and Its Significance
When discussing the properties of “single-crystalline scandium nitride (ScN)”, understanding infrared light is crucial. Beyond the spectrum visible to the human eye, lies the realm of infrared light. It holds its position between visible light and microwave regions due to its longer wavelength. Infrared sources, emitters, and sensors are in high demand across several industries, including electronics, healthcare, defense and security, and energy. The infrared polaritons present in scandium nitride are expected to significantly expand its applicability across these industries.
Key Highlights of Single-Crystalline Scandium Nitride (ScN)
The remarkable nature of “single-crystalline scandium nitride (ScN)” lies within its properties. Firstly, it exhibits high efficiency when it comes to emitting, detecting, and modulating infrared light. This trait alone makes it an important asset for solar and thermal energy harvesting as well as optical communication devices. Scientists achieved this by carefully controlling the properties of the material and successfully exciting polaritons, a quasi-particle, using infrared light.
The Significance of Polaritons in ScN
The polaritons in ScN are significant as they are compatible with modern complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or Si-chip technology. As a result, they can be easily integrated into on-chip optical communication devices. The presence of these exotic polaritons in ScN has opened up new possibilities for solar and thermal energy harvesting.
The discovery of “single-crystalline scandium nitride (ScN)” represents a significant leap for the scientific community. With its unique properties and the potential to convert infrared light into renewable energy, it is set to revolutionize industries ranging from electronics and healthcare to defense and security. The findings have been made available to the public through the Source: PIB.
