An Optoelectronic thermometer based on microscale infrared-to-visible conversion devices

Abstract

Thermometric detectors are crucial in evaluating the condition of target objects spanning from environments to the human body. Optical-based thermal sensing tools have received extensive attention, in which the photon upconversion process with low autofluorescence and high tissue penetration depth is considered as a competent method for temperature monitoring, particularly in biomedical fields. Here, we present an optoelectronic thermometer via infrared-to-visible upconversion, accomplished by integrated light receiving and emission devices. Fully fabricated thin-film, microscale devices present temperature-dependent light emission with an intensity change of 1.5% °C−1 and a spectral shift of 0.18 nm °C−1. The sensing mechanism is systematically characterized and ascribed to temperature dependent optoelectronic properties of the semiconductor band structure and the circuit operation condition. Patterned device arrays showcase the capability for spatially resolved temperature mapping. Finally, in vitro and in vivo experiments implemented with integrated fiber-optic sensors demonstrate real-time thermal detection of dynamic human activity and in the deep brain of animals, respectively.

Semiconductor Plasmon Enhanced Upconversion toward a Flexible Temperature Sensor

“…These results indicate that the UCNPs/WO-PLA is a promising fluorescent sensing probe for quantitative temperature measurements (Table S1). − …”

Emerging Optoelectronic Devices Based on Microscale LEDs and Their Use as Implantable Biomedical Applications

“…Bio-optoelectronics are ground-breaking technologies that not only address the fundamental mismatch between the properties of biomedical systems (soft, curvilinear, and transient) [ 23 ] and those of modern semiconductor devices [ 24 ] (rigid, planar, and everlasting), but also demonstrate exceptional capabilities in energy conversion [ 25 , 26 ], function display [ 27 , 28 ], wireless sensing [ 4 , 29 , 30 ], stimulation [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], and other areas [ 34 , 35 ]. Thin-film semiconductor devices, such as microscale thin-film LEDs and photodiodes, are typically removed from growing substrates and transferred to other substrates employing epitaxial lift-off and heterogeneous integration processes [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Progress in Probe-Based Sensing Techniques for In Vivo Diagnosis

“…Ding et al presented the optoelectronic devices to achieve an efficient NIR-to-visible upconversion for thermal detection, featuring high sensitivities and low-power excitation. Furthermore, the thermal sensors can be assembled as arrays to map spatial temperature, and an integrated optical fiber-thermometer device was employed for monitoring temperature variations in the deep brain of mice [ 58 ]. An optical fiber probe composed of FBG and a graphene oxide film coated S-shape fiber taper was made into a reflection type.…”