Teh realm of photonics, notably technologies leveraging ultraviolet (UV-C) light (100-280 nm), is rapidly evolving and impacting diverse fields like high-resolution microscopy and advanced optical communications. As of January 12, 2026, these advancements are poised to unlock new possibilities across scientific and engineering disciplines.A key advantage of UV-C light lies in its ample atmospheric scattering, making it uniquely suited for communication scenarios where a direct line of sight isn’t possible. Imagine transmitting data around buildings or thru challenging terrains - UV-C could be the answer.However, realizing this potential has been hindered by a critical bottleneck: the lack of reliable and efficient components designed to operate within the UV-C spectrum.
Breaking barriers in UV-C Photonics
Recent research has overcome significant hurdles in this area, presenting a novel platform capable of both generating and detecting incredibly short pulses of UV-C laser light. This breakthrough, spearheaded by teams at the University of Nottingham and Imperial College London, represents a major step forward. The system ingeniously combines an ultrafast UV-C laser source with detectors crafted from atomically thin, two-dimensional semiconductors (2DSEM).
Creating these laser pulses involves a sophisticated process called phase-matched second-order nonlinear processes. Essentially, the researchers harnessed cascaded second-harmonic generation within specialized nonlinear crystals, resulting in UV-C pulses lasting only femtoseconds – that’s less than one trillionth of a second! It’s a level of precision that opens doors to incredibly fast data transmission and analysis.
Room Temperature Detection: A Game Changer
Detecting these fleeting pulses at room temperature is a particularly noteworthy achievement.The system utilizes photodetectors built with 2DSEM gallium selenide (GaSe) and its oxide layer, gallium oxide (Ga2O3). What’s truly exciting is the compatibility of all materials with existing scalable manufacturing techniques. This means we’re not just talking about a lab experiment; we’re looking at a pathway toward practical, real-world applications.
To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, researchers constructed a free-space communication setup.Information was successfully encoded into the UV-C laser and then accurately decoded by the 2D semiconductor sensor, acting as the receiver. This proof-of-concept validates the potential for robust, non-line-of-sight communication systems.
Did You Know? The use of 2D materials like gallium selenide in UV-C detection is a relatively new field, with significant potential for further innovation.Recent studies indicate a 30% increase in sensitivity using optimized 2DSEM structures (Source: Nature Photonics, November 2025).
Unexpected Discoveries and Future Implications
The research team observed an unexpected, yet highly desirable, characteristic in the new sensors: a linear to super-linear photocurrent response to pulse energy. This means the sensors react predictably and efficiently to varying levels of light intensity, paving the way for UV-C-based photonics operating on incredibly fast timescales. As one researcher noted, this combination of pulse generation and detection with 2D semiconductors is a first-of-its-kind achievement.
The detection of UV-C radiation using 2D materials is still in its early stages, but the ability to detect these
