Efficient solar-blind ultraviolet detection based on a Sn2+ ion-activated fluosilicate glass

As an effective method to improve the sensitivity of detection, spectral conversion technology has been widely used in solar-blind ultraviolet communication (UVC). However, producing a spectral converter with high efficiency, short decay lifetime, and excellent stability in the field of UVC detection remains an outstanding challenge. In this Letter, a kind of ${{\rm Sn}^{2 + }}$Sn²⁺ activated fluosilicate (SFS) glass as a spectral converter for UVC detection has been prepared, which has a short lifetime (5.65 µs) and a high quantum efficiency (85%). The SFS decorated Si-based PIN photodiode enables strong absorption and subtly UVC shifts to an emission band optimized for the detector. Moreover, the outstanding performance of detection with responsivity of 27 µA/mW@278 nm, frequency limit up to 50 KHz, and rise/fall time scale of 15.14/18.71 µs@10 KHz is achieved. The comprehensive performance shows that SFS glass has the potential for efficient UVC detection in a scalable and low-cost strategy.