Origami Terahertz Detectors Realized by Inkjet Printing of Carbon Nanotube Inks

Terahertz (THz) technology has shown promise for several applications, but limitations in sources and detectors have prevented broader adoption. Existing THz detectors are rigid, planar, and fabricated using complex technology, making it difficult to integrate into systems. Here we demonstrate THz d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ACS applied nano materials 2020-03, Vol.3 (3), p.2920-2927
Main Authors: Llinas, Juan Pablo, Hekmaty, Michelle A, Talin, A. Alec, Léonard, François
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
carbon nanotube
detector
flexible
inkjet printing
MATERIALS SCIENCE
origami
terahertz
thermoelectric
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Summary:Terahertz (THz) technology has shown promise for several applications, but limitations in sources and detectors have prevented broader adoption. Existing THz detectors are rigid, planar, and fabricated using complex technology, making it difficult to integrate into systems. Here we demonstrate THz detectors fabricated by inkjet printing on submicrometer thick, ultraflexible substrates. By developing p- and n-type carbon nanotube inks, we achieve optically thick p–n junction and p-type devices, enabling antenna-free pixels for THz imaging. By further designing and folding the printed devices, we realize origami-inspired architectures with improved performance over single devices, achieving a noise-equivalent power of 12 nW/Hz1/2 at room temperature with no voltage bias. Our approach opens avenues for nonplanar, foldable, deployable, insertable, and retractable THz detectors for applications in nondestructive inspection.
ISSN:2574-0970
2574-0970
DOI:10.1021/acsanm.0c00182