Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking platform generating ultrafast UV light pulses, lasting less than a trillionth of a second, which could revolutionize communications and advanced imaging applications. This innovation addresses long-standing challenges in harnessing UV-C light for practical photonic technologies.
Operating in the UV-C range (100–280 nm), this light possesses a unique property: strong scattering in the atmosphere. This characteristic makes it invaluable for non-line-of-sight communication, allowing data transmission even when direct paths are obstructed. However, the development of reliable components for UV-C light has historically hindered progress.
The new system, detailed in a study published in Light: Science & Applications, combines an ultrafast UV-C laser source with highly sensitive, atomically-thin semiconductor detectors. This dual-capability platform efficiently generates and detects these incredibly short light flashes, paving the way for next-generation systems.
Unlocking new frontiers in communication
The core of this breakthrough lies in its potential to transform how we communicate and perceive the world. Researchers successfully demonstrated free-space communication, where information was encoded into the UV-C laser and decoded by the new 2D semiconductor sensors. This proof-of-concept highlights a significant leap toward robust, non-line-of-sight data transfer.
Professor Amalia Patané, from the University of Nottingham, who led the sensor development, noted the unexpected and desirable linear to super-linear photocurrent response of the new sensors. This property is crucial for UV-C-based photonics operating on femtosecond timescales across a wide range of pulse energies.
Ben Dewes, a PhD student at Nottingham, emphasized that UV-C radiation detection with 2D materials is an emerging field. The ability to detect ultrashort pulses and combine generation and detection in free space is pivotal for advancing UV-C photonic components, as reported by ScienceDaily on January 7, 2026.
The technology behind femtosecond UV-C pulses
Generating these ultrashort pulses involves phase-matched second-order nonlinear processes, specifically cascaded second-harmonic generation within nonlinear crystals. This method creates UV-C pulses lasting only femtoseconds, less than one trillionth of a second. The efficiency of this generation is a key factor in the system’s practicality.
Professor John W. G. Tisch, from Imperial College London, who guided the laser source work, highlighted the high conversion efficiency as a significant milestone, providing a foundation for further optimization and scaling into compact UV-C sources. This efficiency makes the technology more viable for widespread application.
Detection of these femtosecond pulses occurs at room temperature, utilizing photodetectors built from 2D semiconductor gallium selenide (GaSe) and its wideband gap oxide layer (Ga2O3). Crucially, all materials used in this system are compatible with scalable manufacturing techniques, moving the innovation beyond laboratory confines.
The combined ability to generate and detect femtosecond UV-C laser pulses promises far-reaching effects across numerous advanced applications. From enhancing super-resolution microscopy to enabling more secure and versatile optical communications, this development marks a significant step forward in photonic technologies.
