This project explores triplet exciton pairs—special states that form when one high-energy photon is split into two lower-energy states, a process called singlet fission. This mechanism holds promise for making solar energy conversion more efficient, potentially generating two charges from one photon.
But these triplet pairs also have potential for the future of quantum technologies. One form of the triplet pair, called the quintet state, has unique spin properties that could be used to store and process information in quantum systems. However, there is a key challenge: while solar energy applications benefit from fast and efficient separation of these excitons, quantum information systems need the spin states to remain coherent for longer periods of time.
To address these competing demands, this research will design special interfaces between organic molecules and two-dimensional (2D) materials—ultrathin sheets of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). These materials allow precise control over how the triplet pairs behave: TMDCs can promote rapid energy and charge transfer, while hBN offers a stable environment that protects delicate quantum properties.
The project focuses on three goals:
- Using TMDCs to enable efficient extraction of energy from the triplet pairs.
- Studying the quantum behavior of individual molecular dimers by isolating them with hBN and observing their light emission at the single-molecule level.
- Exploring how triplet pairs interact with each other across nanometer distances using advanced super-resolution imaging techniques.
By combining new materials with state-of-the-art ultrafast and super-resolution microscopy, this research will provide insights into how triplet exciton pairs work. The findings will guide the design of charge separations at interfaces and also help lay the groundwork for future quantum information technologies, where molecules might serve as the building blocks of quantum devices.
