NER: Towards Tunable Optoelectronic Coupling in Active Molecular Nanostructures

智力优势：该计划将研究新型光电器件，将有机分子和纳米制造接触，以研究在单分子尺度上光学和电学性质之间的相互作用。 该计划的目标是开发i）一个单一的平台，允许研究分子的电学和光学性质，理想情况下可以达到单分子水平，以及ii）原理验证实验，以探索分子性质（结构和氧化/还原状态）与接触之间固定的分子的电学/光学性质之间的关系。拟议的实验工作包括适当分子的化学合成、接触和纳米天线结构的器件制造、分子器件的电学和光学表征以及光电测量，包括光共振附近的光电导性和作为施加电压的函数的光谱学。拟议工作的更广泛影响包括推进通过将分子与设备结合而实现的小型化，这可以通过提高功率效率和减少材料的使用而在全球水平上显著地影响技术。纳米级光电子学的突破可以使高性能和低成本的设备彻底改变通信和计算机行业。作为研究计划的一部分，从本科到研究生水平的学生将接触到新的课程，这些课程将解决实现小型化目标所面临的挑战。在第三至第八年级水平的学生将能够与显示器互动，显示在布卢明顿和西拉斐特太阳能电池技术中使用与纳米器件接口的分子。

Intellectual Merit: This program will investigate novel optoelectronic devices that incorporate organic molecules and nanofabricated contacts in order to study the interactions between optical and electrical properties at the single-molecule scale. The goals of the program are to develop i) a single platform that will allow the study of both the electrical and optical properties of molecules, ideally down to the single-molecule level, and ii) proof-of-principle experiments to explore the relationships between molecular properties (structure and oxidation/reduction states) and the electrical/optical properties of molecules immobilized between contacts. The proposed experimental effort includes chemical synthesis of appropriate molecules, device fabrication of contact and nano-antenna structures, electrical and optical characterization of the molecular devices and optoelectronic measurements including photoconductivity near optical resonances and optical spectroscopy as a function of applied voltage.Broader Impact: The broader impacts of the proposed work include advancing the miniaturization that is achieved by bringing molecules into a union with devices, which can significantly impact technology at a global level through increased power efficiency and decreased usage of materials. A breakthrough in nanoscale optoelectronics could enable high-performance and low-cost devices for revolutionizing the communications and computer industry. As a part of the research program, students from undergraduate to graduate levels will be exposed to new classes that address the challenges to be met for achieving the goals of miniaturization. Students at the 3rd to 8th grade levels will be able to interact with displays showing the use of molecules interfaced with nanodevices in solar cell technology at Bloomington and West Lafayette.