Graphene sensor offers better visible and near-mid IR imaging

A research team in Singapore has developed an imaging sensor made from graphene which promises to have better light-gathering over a wider spectrum and be cheaper then existing sensors such as CMOS and CCD.

A paper in Nature Communications, Broadband high photoresponse from pure monolayer graphene photodetector [abstract], outlines the work although you have to subscribe/pay to access the paper. There is more explanation at phys.org.

A patent is being applied for to cover this technology and the team, led by Assistant Professor Wang Qijie at Nanyang Technological University, will be looking for industrial partners in order to turn this into a commercial product.

This development could lead to cheaper cameras with a range into the mid infrared, which is useful for a range of applications including the reflectography used in art restoration, and the extra sensitivity across its whole response will come in handy as well. A significant achievement ... adding another string to graphene's improbable bow.