DeepUVQuellen

DeepUVQuellen is a term used in photonics to describe a class of deep ultraviolet light sources and the related research programs aimed at advancing compact, high-brightness emission in the deep-UV portion of the spectrum, generally defined as wavelengths shorter than about 240 nm. The concept encompasses devices and methods that enable practical deep-UV generation for scientific, industrial, and medical applications.

The most mature platforms within this concept are AlGaN-based solid-state devices, including LEDs and laser diodes, grown on GaN-family substrates. These devices seek to achieve efficient emission at deep-UV wavelengths through careful alloy composition, defect control, and surface engineering. Complementary approaches involve frequency conversion of near-UV light and, for some configurations, vacuum-ultraviolet generation via gas discharge plasmas or high-harmonic generation. DeepUVQuellen research also emphasizes nanostructuring, such as quantum wells, quantum dots, and photonic nanostructures, to improve emission efficiency, mode confinement, and light extraction.

Applications span sterilization and surface decontamination in healthcare and water treatment, UV curing, analytical spectroscopy, and potential use in next-generation semiconductor lithography. The field aims to reduce device size, power consumption, and operating costs while maintaining radiation stability in challenging environments.

Challenges include strong material absorption and nonradiative losses at short wavelengths, limited carrier dynamics in wide-bandgap semiconductors, environmental sensitivity (air strongly absorbs UV below 200 nm), device reliability, and manufacturing scalability. The term appears in academic and industry consortium publications and project descriptions to categorize interdisciplinary efforts across materials science, device engineering, and photonics. While progress yields prototypes and partially commercial devices, widespread deployment remains constrained by efficiency, lifetime, and cost considerations. See also: deep ultraviolet, AlGaN semiconductors, UV lithography.