Sensing single electrons with single molecules

Plakhotnik, Taras

doi:10.1016/j.jlumin.2007.02.029

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Thanks to their narrow ZPL at cryogenic temperatures, single molecules can be sensitive probes of charges in their vicinity, , which could be detected optically by a spectral shift of the ZPL induced by the electric field. In theory, single molecules are sensitive enough to detect single charges at a distance of up to 100 nm, such as those trapped in single-electron transistors or single-electron boxes .…”

Section: Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Adhikari,

Smit,

Orrit

2023

J. Phys. Chem. C

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In the last three decades, cryogenic single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy has provided average-free understanding of the photophysics and of fundamental interactions at molecular scales. Furthermore, they propose original pathways and applications in the treatment and storage of quantum information. The ultranarrow lifetime-limited zero-phonon line acts as an excellent sensor to local perturbations caused either by intrinsic dynamical degrees of freedom, or by external perturbations, such as those caused by electric fields, elastic and acoustic deformations, or light-induced dynamics. Single aromatic hydrocarbon molecules, being sensitive to nanoscale probing at nanometer scales, are potential miniaturized platforms for integrated quantum photonics. In this Perspective, we look back at some of the past advances in cryogenic optical microscopy and propose some perspectives for future development.

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Section: Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Adhikari,

Smit,

Orrit

2023

J. Phys. Chem. C

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“…Considering this gigantic sensitivity and the small size of these molecules, Caruge and Orrit have suggested to detect electronic currents in semiconductors using organic molecules as nanoprobes [17]. Later, Plakhotnik has shown that subnanometer displacement of a single electron in a dielectric medium can be detected by simultaneously looking at the line shifts of multiple molecular probes [18,19]. Here, we will use a typical electron-in-a-box model and the Fermi golden rule for spontaneous emission to identify the origin of this sensitivity and routes to its optimization.…”

Section: A Molecular Nanoprobesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical tracing of multiple charges in single-electron devices

2014

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Single molecules that exhibit narrow optical transitions at cryogenic temperatures can be used as local electricfield sensors. We derive the single-charge sensitivity of aromatic organic dye molecules, based on quantum mechanical considerations. Through numerical modeling, we demonstrate that by using currently available technologies it is possible to optically detect charging events in a granular network with a sensitivity better than 10−5 e/ √ Hz and track positions of multiple electrons, simultaneously, with nanometer spatial resolution. Our results pave the way for minimally invasive optical inspection of electronic and spintronic nanodevices and building hybrid optoelectronic interfaces that function at both single-photon and single-electron levels.

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“…Furthermore, as the quadratic Stark effect is very weak in nature, the large linear Stark effect is advantageous. Such probes would enable faster and more reproducible tuning of single‐photon emission, as well as a higher sensitivity of single molecules to small perturbations by local electric fields, including the optical detection of single electrons …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Matrix‐induced Linear Stark Effect of Single Dibenzoterrylene Molecules in 2,3‐Dibromonaphthalene Crystal

et al. 2018

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Absorption and fluorescence from single molecules can be tuned by applying an external electric field – a phenomenon known as the Stark effect. A linear Stark effect is associated to a lack of centrosymmetry of the guest in the host matrix. Centrosymmetric guests can display a linear Stark effect in disordered matrices, but the response of individual guest molecules is often relatively weak and non‐uniform, with a broad distribution of the Stark coefficients. Here we introduce a novel single‐molecule host‐guest system, dibenzoterrylene (DBT) in 2,3‐dibromonaphthalene (DBN) crystal. Fluorescent DBT molecules show excellent spectral stability with a large linear Stark effect, of the order of 1.5 GHz/kVcm −1 , corresponding to an electric dipole moment change of around 2 D. Remarkably, when the electric field is aligned with the a crystal axis, nearly all DBT molecules show either positive or negative Stark shifts with similar absolute values. These results are consistent with quantum chemistry calculations. Those indicate that DBT substitutes three DBN molecules along the a ‐axis, giving rise to eight equivalent embedding sites, related by the three glide planes of the orthorhombic crystal. The static dipole moment of DBT molecules is created by host‐induced breaking of the inversion symmetry. This new host–guest system is promising for applications that require a high sensitivity of fluorescent emitters to electric fields, for example to probe weak electric fields.

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Sensing single electrons with single molecules

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Optical tracing of multiple charges in single-electron devices

Matrix‐induced Linear Stark Effect of Single Dibenzoterrylene Molecules in 2,3‐Dibromonaphthalene Crystal

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