The Aalto University team has developed a photodiode that is 35 percent more sensitive than other currently used germanium-based applications. This advancement promises to make infrared devices better, more affordable, and more efficient than ever before.

Detecting infrared light is critical in an enormous range of technologies, from remote controls to autofocus systems to self-driving cars and virtual reality headsets. That means there would be major benefits from improving the efficiency of infrared sensors,

New germanium-based infrared photodiodes from Aalto University show 35 % greater responsiveness at 1.55 µm, promising advancements in sensor technology.