Electric field-driven chromophoric material based on a rotating molecule at the center for optical switching applications

摘要

A molecular system is provided for electric field activated switches, such as optical switches. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a molecular conformation change, based on a rotor/stator construction of the molecular system, involving a rotating portion (rotor) connected between two stationary portions (stators). Nanometer-scale reversible optical switches are thus provided that can be assembled easily to make a variety of optical devices, including optical displays.