The internet could soon reach homes and offices faster through LED devices

XH4D / iStock

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Policies You may unsubscribe at any time.

While research has progressed in significantly optimizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the modulation characteristics of perovskite LEDs remain unclear.

In recent developments, scientists have discovered a new way to transmit data quickly through LEDs. This could allow homes and offices to use the fast internet through lights instead of setting up a wifi router.

Dr. Wei Zhang, lead corresponding author of the study and associate professor at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute, stated:

“In this market costs and compatibility are often prioritized over data transmission speed and scientists are looking for alternative ways to reduce energy consumption per bit and improve compactness while simultaneously working on improving the speed of data connection."

While researching how to release high-speed photonic sources using metal-halide perovskites, scientists found that the semiconductors, when integrated with LEDs, showed excellent optoelectronic properties and low-cost processing methods.

Researchers adopted a holistic method to understand how to make fast light sources using a material called "perovskite" on silicon.

They achieved this by changing specific molecules (alkylammonium cations) within the perovskite material. This discovery could help develop more efficient and robust light-emitting technologies.

The study stated: “We reveal the recombination behavior of charged species at various carrier density regimes relevant for their modulation performance.”

Scientists used a Fabry–Pérot microcavity on silicon to demonstrate perovskite devices with efficient light outcoupling.

They also successfully achieved the device modulation bandwidths of up to 42.6 MHz and data rates above 50 Mbps, with further analysis suggesting that the bandwidth may exceed gigahertz levels, the study said.

Dr. Zhang said in a statement: “We have made a huge leap forward and shown how metal-halide perovskites could provide a cost-efficient and powerful solution to make LEDs which have enormous potential to increase their bandwidths into the gigahertz levels. The insights gained from this research will undoubtedly shape the future of data communication.”

The study aims to accelerate the development of high-speed perovskite photodetectors and continuous wave-pumped perovskite lasers. Dr. Zhang also stated that the technology could open up new avenues for advancement in optoelectronic technologies.

Hao Wang, co-first author at the University of Cambridge, said that the research is the first of its kind to elucidate the mechanisms behind achieving high-speed perovskite LEDs.

“The ability to achieve solution-processed perovskite emitters on silicon substrates also paves the way for their integration with micro-electronics platforms, presenting new opportunities for seamless integration and advancement in the field of data communications,” Wang stated.

The study was executed by the University of Surrey and the University of Cambridge and published on 20 July in the journal Nature Photonics.

Abstract:

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are ubiquitous in modern society, with applications spanning from lighting and displays to medical diagnostics and data communications. Metal-halide perovskites are promising materials for LEDs because of their excellent optoelectronic properties and solution processability. Although research has progressed substantially in optimizing their external quantum efficiency, the modulation characteristics of perovskite LEDs remain unclear. Here we report a holistic approach for realizing fast perovskite photonic sources on silicon based on tailoring alkylammonium cations in perovskite systems. We reveal the recombination behaviour of charged species at various carrier density regimes relevant for their modulation performance. By integrating a Fabry–Pérot microcavity on silicon, we demonstrate perovskite devices with efficient light outcoupling. We achieve device modulation bandwidths of up to 42.6 MHz and data rates above 50 Mbps, with further analysis suggesting that the bandwidth may exceed gigahertz levels. The principles developed here will support the development of perovskite light sources for next-generation data-communication architectures. The demonstration of solution-processed perovskite emitters on silicon substrates also opens up the possibility of integration with micro-electronics platforms.