Back to Search
Start Over
Layered BiOI single crystals capable of detecting low dose rates of X-rays.
- Source :
- Nature Communications; 4/28/2023, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-12, 12p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Detecting low dose rates of X-rays is critical for making safer radiology instruments, but is limited by the absorber materials available. Here, we develop bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) single crystals into effective X-ray detectors. BiOI features complex lattice dynamics, owing to the ionic character of the lattice and weak van der Waals interactions between layers. Through use of ultrafast spectroscopy, first-principles computations and detailed optical and structural characterisation, we show that photoexcited charge-carriers in BiOI couple to intralayer breathing phonon modes, forming large polarons, thus enabling longer drift lengths for the photoexcited carriers than would be expected if self-trapping occurred. This, combined with the low and stable dark currents and high linear X-ray attenuation coefficients, leads to strong detector performance. High sensitivities reaching 1.1 × 10<superscript>3</superscript> μC Gy<subscript>air</subscript><superscript>−1</superscript> cm<superscript>−2</superscript> are achieved, and the lowest dose rate directly measured by the detectors was 22 nGy<subscript>air</subscript> s<superscript>−1</superscript>. The photophysical principles discussed herein offer new design avenues for novel materials with heavy elements and low-dimensional electronic structures for (opto)electronic applications. The complex coupling between charge-carriers and phonons in bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) are uncovered, showing how carrier localisation is avoided and long transport lengths achieved. As a result, BiOI is revealed to be highly effective for X-ray detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 163412869
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38008-4