Biomimetic-Inspired Infrared Sensors from Zn 3 P 2 Microwires: Study of Their Photoconductivity and Infrared Spectrum Properties

The fire beetle, Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), senses infrared radiation at wavelengths of 3 and 10–25 microns via specialized protein-containing sensilla. Although the protein denatures outside of a biological system, this detection mechanism has inspired our bottom-up approach t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New journal of science 2014-06, Vol.2014, p.1-9
Main Authors: Israelowitz, M., Weyand, B., Leiterer, C., Munoz, V., Martinez-Tomas, C., Herraiz-Llacer, M., Slowik, I., Beleites, C., Fritzsche, W., Krafft, C., Henkel, T., Reuter, M., Rizvi, S. W. H., Gille, C., Reimers, K., Vogt, P. M., von Schroeder, H. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The fire beetle, Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), senses infrared radiation at wavelengths of 3 and 10–25 microns via specialized protein-containing sensilla. Although the protein denatures outside of a biological system, this detection mechanism has inspired our bottom-up approach to produce single zinc phosphide microwires via vapour transport for IR sensing. The Zn 3 P 2 microwires were immobilized and electrical contact was made by dielectrophoresis. Photoconductivity measurements have been extended to the near IR range, spanning the Zn 3 P 2 band gaps. Purity and integrity of the Zn 3 P 2 microwires including infrared light scattering properties were confirmed by infrared transmission microscopy. This biomimetic microwire shows promise for infrared chip development.
ISSN:2356-7740
2090-8520
DOI:10.1155/2014/524042