The article reports vertically illuminated, resonant cavity enhanced, graphene–Si Schottky photodetectors (PDs) operating at 1550 nm. These exploit internal photoemission at the graphene–Si interface. To obtain spectral selectivity and enhance responsivity, the PDs are integrated with an optical cavity, resulting in multiple reflections at resonance, and enhanced absorption in graphene. We get a wavelength-dependent photoresponse with external (internal) responsivity ∼20 mA/W (0.25A/W). The spectral selectivity may be further tuned by varying the cavity resonant wavelength. Our devices pave the way for developing high responsivity hybrid graphene–Si free-space illuminated PDs for optical communications, coherence optical tomography, and light-radars.

Lamborghini and MIT have announced a collaboration on a 3-year project to develop a graphene-enhanced supercapacitor electric vehicle. The Lamborghini-MIT partnership could, however, end up being extended as there is no target date for the car’s completion.

Graphene can be used to make car seats and aircraft antenna protection enclosures lighter, which will reduce fuel consumption. These are just two examples of the uses of this material exhibited during Graphene Week in Athens, where companies and research centres presented their latest results.

We talk a lot about graphene and why it promises to be a wonder material, but how do you actually make it?

Researchers from University of California, Santa Barbara, have developed a device that could prove the existence of non-Abelian anyons. These 2-dimensional quantum particles were theorized and mathematically predicted to exist but have not been synthesized till now.