Have we finally found the universal substance for photonics? Well, not really. But perovskite, a material (actually, a class of materials with a common structure) that's recently been getting technical press for its high efficiency as a solar-cell material, has other potential uses as well.
Here's the solar-cell (and thus photodetector) angle:
http://news.nd.edu/news/49792-notre-dame-paper-offers-insights-into-a-new-class-of-semiconducting-materials/
Next, LEDs:
LEDs made from perovskite could enable low-cost LED displays
Lasers:
High-efficiency perovskite photovoltaic material also lases
Nonlinear optical devices:
From Optical Materials Express: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OME.4.001186
Metamaterial lenses:
Also from Optical Materials Express: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OME.4.001186
It seems you can use perovskites for everything in your optical system except the mechanical devices. But wait:
Piezoelectric actuators:
Fujifilm creates new PZT actuator film with higher piezoelectric constant
So it is my pleasure to announce (OK, in jest) the launch of a new sister brand, Perovskite Focus World. And if you want to receive the print version, be prepared: in the interests of saving paper, it will be made from . . .
