High-Entropy Oxide Photodetector for Broad Spectral Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photodetectors have low external quantum efficiency, a narrow range of optical absorption, require multiple materials for wide band spectral responsivity, and have complex manufacturing processes, making them costly and unsuitable for large-scale applications.

Innovation Solution

A high entropy oxide with a spinel structure and 20-40% oxygen vacancy concentration, composed of Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, and Mg, is used in a photodetector, offering wide optical absorption from 310 nm to 1400 nm and improved spectral responsivity, detection rate, and response time, with a simple manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional photodetectors use multiple materials for wide band spectral responsivity, then the spectral coverage is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple metal elements (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Mg) into a single high entropy oxide material that provides wide band spectral responsivity across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions, eliminating the need for multiple separate photodetector materials while maintaining broad spectral coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The high entropy oxide material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the photodetector active layer, provides wide band spectral response, achieves high external quantum efficiency, and enables simple single-step manufacturing, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional photodetectors use doping to add desired elements, then the optical properties are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental approach from doping existing materials to synthesizing a new high entropy oxide material with specific compositional parameters (five metal elements each at 5-35% concentration) and structural parameters (spinel structure with 20-40% oxygen vacancies), achieving superior optical properties through controlled synthesis rather than post-processing doping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The desired optical properties are built into the material structure during the initial hydrothermal synthesis and thermal treatment processes, rather than requiring subsequent doping steps. The oxygen vacancies and metal element distribution are established in advance during material formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional photodetectors use multiple materials for wide band absorption, then the spectral responsivity is improved, but the external quantum efficiency remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral responsivityVSAvoidexternal quantum efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite high entropy oxide material where five different metal elements (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Mg) are combined in specific proportions within a spinel crystal structure, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously provide wide band spectral absorption and high external quantum efficiency exceeding 700%

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The high entropy oxide achieves high external quantum efficiency (>700%), spectral responsivity (3.0-4.0 A/W), and wide-range photoresponse (310-1400 nm), enhancing photodetector performance and stability, while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Implementation Method 1

the high entropy oxide may have an optical absorption property for at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light, preferably an optical absorption property for all of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a photodetector is commonly used to detect ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 10-400 nm, visible light with a wavelength of 400-760 nm, infrared light with a wavelength of 760 nm to 1 mm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250353759A1High entropy oxide, method of making the same, and photodetector comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 NAT CHENG KUNG UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates a high entropy oxide and preparation method thereof. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a high entropy oxide of formula (FeNiCrMnMgCu)O including spinel structure, and the spinel structure includes oxygen vacancy (OV) concentration of 20 to 40%. The present disclosure further provides a photodetector, which includes a substrate, an absorbing layer comprising the high entropy oxide, and an electrode unit. With the plenty of oxygen vacancies, the high entropy oxide shows the excellent optical absorption properties, thereby having a bright prospect of the application.