Layered BiOI single crystals capable of detecting low dose rates of X-rays

Robert A. Jagt, Ivona Bravić, Lissa Eyre, Krzysztof Gałkowski, Joanna Borowiec, Kavya Reddy Dudipala, Michał Baranowski, Mateusz Dyksik, Tim W. J. Goor, Theo Kreouzis, Ming Xiao, Adrian Bevan, Paulina Płochocka, Samuel D. Stranks, Felix Deschler, Bartomeu Monserrat (), Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll () and Robert L. Z. Hoye ()
Additional contact information
Robert A. Jagt: University of Cambridge
Ivona Bravić: University of Cambridge
Lissa Eyre: University of Cambridge
Krzysztof Gałkowski: University of Cambridge
Joanna Borowiec: Queen Mary University London
Kavya Reddy Dudipala: University of Oxford
Michał Baranowski: CNRS-UGA-UPS-INSA
Mateusz Dyksik: CNRS-UGA-UPS-INSA
Tim W. J. Goor: University of Cambridge
Theo Kreouzis: Queen Mary University London
Ming Xiao: University of Cambridge
Adrian Bevan: Queen Mary University London
Paulina Płochocka: CNRS-UGA-UPS-INSA
Samuel D. Stranks: University of Cambridge
Felix Deschler: University of Cambridge
Bartomeu Monserrat: University of Cambridge
Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll: University of Cambridge
Robert L. Z. Hoye: University of Oxford

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Detecting low dose rates of X-rays is critical for making safer radiology instruments, but is limited by the absorber materials available. Here, we develop bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) single crystals into effective X-ray detectors. BiOI features complex lattice dynamics, owing to the ionic character of the lattice and weak van der Waals interactions between layers. Through use of ultrafast spectroscopy, first-principles computations and detailed optical and structural characterisation, we show that photoexcited charge-carriers in BiOI couple to intralayer breathing phonon modes, forming large polarons, thus enabling longer drift lengths for the photoexcited carriers than would be expected if self-trapping occurred. This, combined with the low and stable dark currents and high linear X-ray attenuation coefficients, leads to strong detector performance. High sensitivities reaching 1.1 × 103 μC Gyair−1 cm−2 are achieved, and the lowest dose rate directly measured by the detectors was 22 nGyair s−1. The photophysical principles discussed herein offer new design avenues for novel materials with heavy elements and low-dimensional electronic structures for (opto)electronic applications.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38008-4

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