“Unlocking the Future: How Nanocrystals are Revolutionizing Optical Computing and AI”

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Researchers, including a chemistry scientist from Oregon State University, have made a significant advancement toward next-gen optical computing and memory through the discovery of luminous nanocrystals that can swiftly switch between illuminated and unilluminated states.

“The remarkable switching and memory functions of these nanocrystals could eventually become crucial for optical computing – a method for rapidly processing and storing data using light particles, which travel faster than any other entity in the universe,” stated Artiom Skripka, an assistant professor in OSU’s College of Science. “Our results hold the potential to propel advancements in artificial intelligence and information technologies as a whole.”

Published in Nature Photonics, the research conducted by Skripka along with colleagues from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Columbia University, and the Autonomous University of Madrid involves a material type known as avalanching nanoparticles.

Nanomaterials are extremely small particles ranging from one-billionth to one-hundred-billionths of a meter, and avalanching nanoparticles demonstrate extreme non-linearity in their light-emission characteristics – they emit light whose intensity can significantly increase with only a minor increase in the laser intensity that is energizing them.

The scientists examined nanocrystals consisting of potassium, chlorine, and lead, which were doped with neodymium. Alone, the potassium lead chloride nanocrystals do not respond to light; however, as hosts, they allow their neodymium guest ions to manage light signals more effectively, making them valuable for optoelectronics, laser applications, and various optical uses.

“Typically, luminescent materials emit light when excited by a laser and remain unlit when they are not,” Skripka remarked. “However, we were taken aback to discover that our nanocrystals exist in parallel states. Under specific conditions, they exhibit unusual behavior: They can appear either bright or dark under precisely the same laser excitation wavelength and power.”

This phenomenon is referred to as intrinsic optical bistability.

“If the crystals begin in a dark state, we require a higher laser power to activate them and see the emission; however, once they start emitting, they continue to do so even at lower laser powers than those needed initially,” Skripka explained. “It’s akin to riding a bicycle – you need to put in significant effort at the start, but once it is up to speed, less effort is needed to maintain the pace. Moreover, their luminescence can be toggled on and off very abruptly, much like pressing a button.”

The low-power switching properties of the nanocrystals align with the worldwide initiative to decrease energy consumption caused by the increasing use of artificial intelligence, data centers, and electronic devices. Furthermore, AI applications demand considerable computational capabilities, often facing constraints due to limitations of current hardware, an issue that this new study could potentially resolve.

“Integrating photonic materials with intrinsic optical bistability could lead to faster and more efficient data processors, enhancing machine learning algorithms and data analysis,” Skripka mentioned. “It might also result in more efficient light-based devices utilized in sectors such as telecommunications, medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and interconnects for optical and quantum computers.”

In addition, he noted that this research supports ongoing efforts to create powerful, versatile optical computers, which are based on the interactions between light and matter at the nanoscale, emphasizing the significance of fundamental research in fostering innovation and economic development.

“Our results represent an exciting advancement, yet further research is needed to address challenges like scalability and incorporation with current technologies before our discovery can be applied practically,” Skripka concluded.

Reference: Skripka A, Zhang Z, Qi X, et al. Intrinsic optical bistability of photon avalanching nanocrystals. Nat Photon. 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41566-024-01577-x

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