On February 24, 2026, Louis Conrad Winkler successfully defended his PhD thesis on the topic "Advancing Photodetectors for Near-Infrared Measurements" at TU Dresden. His research, supervised by Prof. Karl Leo, focused on integrating organic diodes (similar to OLEDs) into a microcavity-based architecture to enable narrowband detection for mobile spectroscopy applications. The work introduced innovative nanoparticle deposition techniques to create thin and reproducible layers, extending the detection range up to 1850 nm. Additionally, an intrinsic signal amplification mechanism was integrated, simplifying signal readout and allowing for cost-effective electronics. These advancements pave the way for compact, lightweight, and robust sensors in fields like healthcare and environmental monitoring. This achievement highlights exciting new possibilities for infrared spectroscopy and beyond.

Awarded "magna cum laude", the thesis reflects a profound understanding of device physics gained through extensive experiments.  

Advisor: Prof. Karl Leo

• 1st reviewer: Prof. Karl Leo
• 2nd reviewer: Prof. Alexander Eychmüller
• 3rd reviewer: Prof. Koen Vandewal

Examination Committee:

• Chair: Prof. Ralf Schützhold
• Prof. Karl Leo
• Prof. Sebastian Reineke
• Dr. Uri Vool