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A team of researchers, including a chemistry expert from Oregon State University, has made significant strides in the field of optical computing and memory through their discovery of luminescent nanocrystals capable of rapidly switching between light and darkness.
“These remarkable nanocrystals exhibit exceptional switching and memory features, which could be crucial for the development of optical computing. This technology utilizes light particles that travel at incredible speeds, thereby offering much faster information processing and storage options,” stated Artiom Skripka, assistant professor at OSU’s College of Science. “Our research could notably advance artificial intelligence and broader information technologies.”
The findings, published in Nature Photonics, feature the collaborative efforts of Skripka and researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Columbia University, and the Autonomous University of Madrid. Central to the study is a particular class of materials known as avalanching nanoparticles.
Nanoscale materials, which range between one-billionth and one-hundred-billionths of a meter, exhibit unique optical characteristics. Avalanching nanoparticles, in particular, demonstrate extreme non-linearity in their light-emission capabilities, where even a minor increase in laser intensity causes major surges in emitted light.
The focus of the research was on nanocrystals made from potassium, chlorine, and lead, which had been doped with neodymium. While potassium lead chloride nanocrystals are typically inactive in terms of light interaction, they act as effective hosts, allowing neodymium ions to efficiently manage light signals. This property makes them valuable for various applications, including optoelectronics and laser technology.
“Traditionally, luminescent materials emit light under laser excitation and remain dark otherwise,” Skripka explained. “However, our finding revealed that our nanocrystals can exhibit dual states—being either bright or dark under the same laser excitation wavelength and intensity.”
This intriguing behavior is characterized as intrinsic optical bistability.
“If the initial state of the crystals is dark, a higher laser power is required to activate light emission. Once they begin to emit, the necessary power to maintain that emission decreases,” Skripka noted. “This is reminiscent of pedaling a bike—initial effort is needed to start, but sustaining motion requires much less effort. Moreover, their luminescence can be toggled quickly, similar to the function of a button.”
The ability to switch with low power consumption aligns with global initiatives aimed at minimizing energy use, particularly given the rising demand from artificial intelligence, data centers, and electronic devices. These AI systems not only require significant computational resources but also face challenges related to the limitations of current hardware—issues this groundbreaking research aims to mitigate.
“Incorporating photonic materials that exhibit intrinsic optical bistability could lead to faster and more efficient data processing, enhancing machine learning tasks and data evaluation,” Skripka emphasized. “This could also pave the way for more efficient light-dependent technologies in telecommunications, medical imaging, environmental sensing, and optical or quantum computing interconnects.”
Furthermore, Skripka pointed out that this research complements ongoing attempts to create powerful, versatile optical computers that harness the intricate interplay of light and matter on a nanoscale level. It highlights the vital role that foundational research plays in fostering innovation and stimulating economic advancement.
“While we are excited by these findings, further research is essential to tackle challenges related to scalability and integration with established technologies to ensure our discovery can be translated into real-world applications,” Skripka concluded.
The research received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It was spearheaded by Bruce Cohen and Emory Chan from Lawrence Berkeley, P. James Schuck from Columbia University, and Daniel Jaque from the Autonomous University of Madrid.
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