“If we can precisely place molecules like this, it could be used in many more applications than just fast LEDs,” said Akselrod. “We could also make fast sources of single photons that could be used for quantum cryptography. This technology would allow secure communication that could not be hacked — at least not without breaking the laws of physics.”
Duke University researchers have made fluorescent molecules emit photons of light 1,000 times faster than normal — setting a speed record and making an important step toward realizing superfast light emitting diodes (LEDs) and quantum cryptography.
This year’s Nobel Prize in physics was awarded for the discovery of how to make blue LEDs, allowing everything from more efficient light bulbs to video screens. While the discovery has had an enormous impact on lighting and displays, the slow speed with which LEDs can be turned on and off has limited their use as a light source in light-based telecommunications.
In an LED, atoms can be forced to emit roughly 10 million photons in the blink of an eye. Modern telecommunications systems, however, operate nearly a thousand times faster. To make future light-based communications using LEDs practical, researchers must get photon-emitting materials up to speed.
In a new study, engineers from Duke increased the photon emission rate of fluorescent molecules to record levels by sandwiching them between metal nanocubes and a gold film.
The results appear online October 12 in Nature Photonics.
“One of the applications we’re targeting with this research is ultrafast LEDs,” said Maiken Mikkelsen, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and physics at Duke. “While future devices might not use this exact approach, the underlying physics will be crucial.”
Mikkelsen specializes in plasmonics, which studies the interaction between electromagnetic fields and free electrons in metal. In the experiment, her group manufactured 75-nanometer silver nanocubes and trapped light between them, greatly increasing the light’s intensity.
When fluorescent molecules are placed near intensified light, the molecules emit photons at a faster rate through an effect called Purcell enhancement. The researchers found they could achieve a significant speed improvement by placing fluorescent molecules in a gap between the nanocubes and a thin film of gold.
To attain the greatest effect, Mikkelsen’s team needed to tune the gap’s resonant frequency to match the color of light that the molecules respond to. With the help of co-author David R. Smith, the James B. Duke Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke, they used computer simulations to determine the exact size of the gap needed between the nanocubes and gold film to optimize the setup.
The Latest on: Superfast LEDs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Superfast LEDs” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Superfast LEDs
- 2024 NFL Draft: Day 3 picks who will make an instant impact as rookies, including a WR with supreme confidenceon May 10, 2024 at 6:28 am
Heck, sixth-rounder DeMario Douglas-- who was highlighted in this article last year -- led the Patriots in receiving ... At nearly 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, Hicks had a 37.5-inch vertical and a ...
- General McLane's Logan Anderson helps hurdle Lancers to Erie County Classic successon May 9, 2024 at 8:54 pm
General McLane's boys, led by hurdles star Logan Anderson, and Fort LeBoeuf's girls were team champions for Thursday's Erie County Classic.
- Apple iPad Pro (2024) vs iPad Pro (2022): Which flagship tablet should you buy?on May 8, 2024 at 10:59 pm
Apple iPad Pro 2024 vs iPad Pro 2022? We break down the differences like display, performance, and Apple Pencil to help you pick the best.
- Young Poles led a political revolution. Now they need to learn patience.on May 8, 2024 at 1:05 pm
During their eight years in office, Law and Justice raised social insurance payments which particularly impacted younger Poles like the 32-year-old Mr. Dryżałowski, rolled back civil rights including ...
- Hisense U8N review: As close to OLED as it gets?on May 8, 2024 at 8:00 am
The Hisense U8N continues to put pressure on the competition with intense brightness, deep blacks, and vibrant color.
- Ferrari 12Cilindri debuts with stunning looks, 819 hpon May 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Ferrari late on Thursday unveiled its successor to the 812 Superfast in the form of the ... The design team, led by Flavio Manzoni, has striven to reduce lines, resulting in a very clean look.
- Denny Hamlin edges Kyle Larson at Dover for third NASCAR Cup Series win of 2024on April 28, 2024 at 5:57 pm
In the lone race in Dover, Delaware this season, Hamlin's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota gained the lead with a super fast pit stop after ... Busch raced out and led the first 33 laps around ...
- Denny Hamlin edges Kyle Larson at Dover for third NASCAR Cup Series win of 2024on April 28, 2024 at 5:57 pm
In the lone race in Dover, Delaware this season, Hamlin's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota gained the lead with a super fast pit stop after Stage 2 and ... Busch raced out and led the first 33 laps ...
- Chinese scientists close in on laser propulsion for superfast, silent submarineson April 22, 2024 at 1:00 am
The project team is led by Ge Yang, associate professor with the school of mechanical and electronic engineering at Harbin Engineering University in Heilongjiang province, where China’s first ...
- Meet QDEL, the backlight-less display tech that could replace OLED in premium TVson April 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
We are spoiled to really good picture quality. It actually is painful to watch a game or movie at a friend’s house who own LED sets; garbage picture, no viewing angle if you’re not dead center ...
via Bing News