First PhD completed at DZA
Great success for detector research at the DZA: In cooperation with the Institute of Applied Physics of the TU Dresden, the first doctorate at the DZA was successfully completed.
In his dissertation, Conrad Winkler (r.) investigated novel optical sensors under the direction of Dr. Johannes Benduhn (l.) and Prof. Karl Leo (TU Dresden). These sensors could form the heart of modern camera systems in the future. He used innovative semiconductors such as organic molecules and colloidal lead sulphide quantum dots (PbS nanoparticles) to construct highly efficient optical sensor units from them. One can imagine these detectors as the individual "pixels" of an image sensor that convert light into electrical signals. About the potential of his work, the graduate says:
„In astrophysics, we often chase extremely weak light signals from the depths of space. If our new semiconductors work there, they will also be able to revolutionise the image sensors in our everyday life - from smartphones to medical technology.“
This basic research at the DZA forms the foundation for the next generation of image sensors. Although the technology is focussed on the extreme demands of astronomy, it also opens up great opportunities for industrial applications and transfer to the regional economy.