Wireless light energy harvesting and communication in a waterproof GaN optoelectronic system

Abstract

AbstractWireless technologies can be used to track and observe freely moving animals. InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) allow for underwater optical wireless communication due to the small water attenuation in the blue-green spectrum region. GaN-based quantum well diodes can also harvest and detect light. Here, we report a monolithic GaN optoelectronic system (MGOS) that integrates an energy harvester, LED and SiO2/TiO2 distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) into a single chip. The DBR serves as waterproof layer as well as optical filter. The waterproof MGOS can operate in boiling water and ice without external interconnect circuits. The units transform coded information from an external light source into electrical energy and directly activate the LEDs for illumination and relaying light information. We demonstrate that our MGOS chips, when attached to Carassius auratus fish freely swimming in a water tank, simultaneously conduct wireless energy harvesting and light communication. Our devices could be useful for tracking, observation and interacting with aquatic animals.