Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation
Published on: March 2, 2021
Photoconductive response in organic charge transfer interfaces with high quantum efficiency
Helena Alves1, Rui M Pinto, Ermelinda S Maçôas
1INESC-MN and IN, University of Lisbon, Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal. halves@inesc-mn.pt
Organic single-crystal interfaces exhibit unprecedented photoconductive behavior. This breakthrough in organic electronics enables high-performance photonic applications with nearly 100% external quantum efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Photonic Applications
Background:
- Organic semiconductors offer unique properties for diverse applications.
- Crystalline organic materials demonstrate superior electronic performance compared to disordered forms.
- Current applications of organic single crystals are limited, primarily to field-effect transistors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first instance of photoconductive behavior in single-crystal charge-transfer interfaces.
- To explore the potential of organic single crystals in novel photonic applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of a rubrene/7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane single-crystal interface.
- Measurement of photoconductive properties, including responsivity and external quantum efficiency.
Main Results:
- The rubrene/7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane system demonstrated significant photoconductive behavior.
- A responsivity of 1 A/W was achieved, corresponding to an external quantum efficiency approaching 100%.
Conclusions:
- Organic single-crystal interfaces can exhibit efficient photoconductivity.
- This finding opens new avenues for utilizing organic single crystals in advanced photonic devices.
Related Concept Videos
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Photoelectric Effect
The Antenna Complex
The Photochemical Reaction Center
UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

