French researchers developed the first single molecule LED

According to physicist organization network reported on February 3, 2014, in order to challenge the light emitting diode (LED) minimum limit, Strasbourg University, sixth French university researchers in France and the French National Academy of Sciences cooperation has developed consists of a single molecule of LED.

The LED is formed by a polythiophene (polythiophene) wire placed between the scanning tunneling microscope and the gold surface. It will shine only when the current is passed. This experiment gives an excellent account of the minimum scale of the electro - optical conversion device. In addition, it also represents a great step forward in creating future molecular computer components. The results of this study have been published in the Journal Letters (Physical) Review.

The LED itself is a component that will shine when the current is passed, allowing the light to pass only in one direction. LED plays an important role in our daily life, such as lighting indicators, they are also brilliant prospects in the field of lighting, lighting is gradually controlling the market. The main advantage of LED is that it can be as small as possible, so you can get a point light source. With this in mind, the LED's most recent miniaturization hurdles have been overcome by French researchers: they have managed to overcome the difficulties and have produced the first LED. In order to achieve the goal of minimizing the LED, they employ a polythiophene line, polythiophene is a good electrical conductor. It is composed of hydrogen, carbon and sulfur three elements of polymer molecules, and can be used to create a larger market has entered the sale of LED lamps.

The polythiophene line is attached to the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, and the other end is attached to the gold surface. When the current passes through the nanowire, the scientists record the light. They observed that the LEDs were made of thiophene lines: only when electrons flow from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope to the surface of the gold would LED emit light. When polarity is reversed, light emission is negligible. Scientists in collaboration with the group theory, research shows that when a negative charge in the nanowires (i.e. an electron) with a positive charge (a hole) combination will shine, and most of its energy transfer to the photon. Each of the 100 thousand electrons is injected into the thiophene line, emitting a photon whose wavelength is in the red region.

From a fundamental point of view, the device provides researchers with a new tool that can be used to detect the phenomenon of electric conductors emitting light. Scientists are also able to optimize materials in order to produce stronger light emission. This work, however, has made a promising first step in the manufacture of components of molecular size and photoelectric properties.