This device can generate deep-UV light with a very narrow wavelength range that is safe for humans but lethal for germs.
The researchers have overcome these challenges by using a process called ‘second harmonic generation,’ which relies on the fact that the frequency of a photon, or particle of light, is proportional to its energy. By using a specially designed waveguide that can control the orientation of the aluminum-nitride crystal, the researchers were able to merge two photons with half the energy into one photon with twice the energy, and thus, twice the frequency.
The researchers hope that their device can pave the way for compact and efficient deep-UV disinfection tools that can be used in various settings without compromising human safety.Far-UV light sources have attracted much attention for human-safe viral inactivation and bacterial disinfection. Due to large optical nonlinearity and transparency to this wavelength region, AlN is a promising material for compact and low-cost far-UV second harmonic generation devices.
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