Researchers at the LMI Center have observed how "mixing" material with light boosts its electronic properties

Researchers at the laboratory for molecular nano-optics, led by Dr. Tal Schwartz have created an ultra-fast imaging system, which has enabled them to study the behavior of particles called "polaritons" - particles that are created from the "mixing" of light and matter. Using this system, they were able to follow the motion of these hybrid entities and to reveal, for the first time, their special behavior: the more light they contain, the faster and more efficient they become.

The results of this work has important potential implications for solar energy production, information processing and more. The composite nature of the polaritons allows, on the one hand, fast motion at velocities close to the speed of light, and on the other hand, electronic interactions that enable the control and conversion of light into energy stored in the material. Therefore, by using polaritons in future technologies, it will be possible to transfer energy more efficiently, harvest solar energy more effectively and develop novel optoelectronic devices that will operate at ultrafast rates.

This research was conducted by Balasubrahmaniyam Mukundakumar, Arie Simkhovich, Adina Golombek, Gal Sandik, Guy Ankonina and Tal Schwartz and was recently published in Nature Materials - click here to read the article >>