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Excitonic Hamiltonians for Calculating Optical Absorption Spectra and Optoelectronic Properties of Molecular Aggregates and Solids
Published on: May 27, 2020
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An All-Optical Excitonic Switch Operated in the Liquid and Solid Phases
Donald L Kellis1, Christopher Sarter2, Brittany L Cannon1
1Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering , Boise State University , Boise , Idaho 83725 , United States.
ACS Nano
|February 14, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a novel all-optical excitonic switch using DNA nanotechnology. This breakthrough enables precise assembly of molecular components for future optical circuits, offering high contrast and speed.
Area of Science:
- Molecular electronics
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Photosynthetic organisms utilize excitonic circuitry, inspiring alternatives to electronic circuits.
- Fabricating molecular-scale excitonic devices is challenging due to limited assembly technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and operate a hybrid all-optical excitonic switch.
- To demonstrate molecular-scale assembly using DNA nanotechnology for optical circuits.
Main Methods:
- Assembled donor/acceptor chromophores and photochromic nucleotide modulators using DNA nanotechnology.
- Operated the hybrid all-optical excitonic switch in both liquid and solid phases.
Main Results:
- Achieved successful operation of the all-optical excitonic switch.
- Demonstrated high ON/OFF switching contrast with no apparent cyclic fatigue over nearly 200 cycles.
- The switch operates with a small footprint, low energy requirement, and potential picosecond switching speeds.
Conclusions:
- The developed switch represents a prospective pathway for all-optical excitonic circuits.
- DNA nanotechnology enables precise assembly of optically active molecules for advanced devices.
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