LuminaSand: Harnessing the Optoelectronic Potential of Silicon Dioxide With Focused Laser Beam

Overview

The increasing reliance on optoelectronic devices in communication, sensing, and display technologies has driven the search for alternative materials that are cost-effective, scalable, and highly efficient. Conventional optoelectronic materials, such as gallium arsenide and indium tin oxide, face challenges related to scarcity, high production costs, and environmental concerns. This study explores a simple alternative approach to fabricating silicon-carbon nanotube (SiCNT) based composite material for optoelectronic application through laser-initiated rapid annealing and quenching. The site-specific laser treatment process induces localised suspended SiCNT structure and cyan fluorescence under ultra-violet excitation. Comparisons between laser treatment in ambient versus vacuum environment identified oxygen defects as the likely contributor to the observed cyan fluorescence. This laser-transformed composite material achieves an ~82,000-fold increase in electrical conductivity compared to its pristine state. Device testing further elucidates its capability to effectively generate photocurrent, particularly with a 532 nm monochromatic laser. This work highlights the potential of rapid laser-initiated transformation of SiCNT composite as an economical and scalable optoelectronic material, offering a promising alternative for future technological applications.

Competition history

• ISEF 2025 Materials Science · Entry MATS025

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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