Exploring the use of the nanoscale bowtie antenna under optical and electrical excitations

Phys.org  June 2, 2022 Nanoscale bowtie antennas have been extensively studied for their high confinement and enhancement. In this mini-review, researchers in China start with a brief introduction to bowtie antennas and underlying physics. They review the applications with respect to optically and electrically excited nanoscale bowtie antennas. Optically driven bowtie antennas enable a set of optical applications such as near-field imaging/trapping, nonlinear response, nanolithography, photon generation and detection. They conclude with the principle and applications of electrically driven bowtie antennas, as an emerging method of generating ultrafast and broadband tunable nano sources…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE 

Single-molecule optoelectronic devices

Phys.org  June 2, 2022 Single-molecule devices provide a reliable platform for exploration of the intrinsic properties of matters at the single-molecule level. The regulation of the electrical properties of single-molecule devices will be a key factor in enabling further advances in the development of molecular electronics. In this review article researchers in China introduce the optoelectronic effects that are involved in single-molecule devices, including photoisomerization switching, photoconductance, plasmon-induced excitation, photovoltaic effect, and electroluminescence. They summarize the optoelectronic mechanisms of single-molecule devices, with particular emphasis on the photoisomerization, photoexcitation, and photo-assisted tunneling processes. Discussion on the opportunities and challenges arising in […]

Top 10 Science and Technology Inventions for the Week of July 3, 2020

01. A completely new plasmonic chip for ultrafast data transmission using light 02. Cartwheeling light reveals new optical phenomenon 03. Light from inside the tunnel 04. Multifunctional nanofiber protects against explosions, extreme temps 05. Nanoelectromechanical switches based reconfigurable computing 06. A path to new nanofluidic devices applying spintronics technology 07. The lightest shielding material in the world 08. Study reveals magnetic process that can lead to more energy-efficient memory in computers 09. Extensive review of spin-gapless semiconductors: Next-generation spintronics candidates 10. Scientists Have Demonstrated Quantum Entanglement on a Tiny Satellite Orbiting Earth And others… Being exceptional in higher dimensions Computing […]

Top 10 Science and Technology Inventions for the Week of September 27, 2019

01. First fully rechargeable carbon dioxide battery with carbon neutrality 02. ‘Valley states’ in this super-thin material could potentially be used for quantum computing 03. Development of highly sensitive diode, converts microwaves to electricity 04. Introducing ‘mesh,’ memory-saving plug-in to boost phone and computer performance 05. New framework for nanoantenna light absorption 06. Converting absorbed photons into twice as many excitons 07. Nano bulb lights novel path 08. Engineers using soundwaves to search through big data with more stability and ease 09. Scientists finally find superconductivity in place they have been looking for decades 10. Team closes in on ‘holy […]

Combs of light for molecules

Nanowerk  March 7, 2019 Researchers in Germany review the developments and prospects in the emerging and quickly advancing field of atomic and molecular broadband spectroscopy with frequency combs. The past decade has witnessed remarkable progress in laser frequency comb generators dedicated to broadband spectroscopy, especially in the molecular-fingerprint mid-infrared (2–20 µm) region and the ultraviolet range (<400 nm). Existing spectrometers and spectrometric techniques have been adapted and improved to make the most of such sources (mode-locked lasers, nonlinear frequency conversion, microresonators, electro-optic modulators, semi-conductor lasers etc.), while entirely new comb-enabled approaches and instruments have been explored…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE