Controlling Electronics with Light

(EPFL, July 01, 2024)

Researchers at EPFL, Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, and Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, led by Dr. Fabrizio Carbone, have achieved a scientific breakthrough in controlling electronics using light. Their discovery reveals that by applying different wavelengths of light to magnetite, its electrical conductivity can be modulated, opening the door for new innovative materials for electronics. The team conducted their research using ultrafast generation of hidden phases via energy-tuned electronic photoexcitation in magnetite, uncovering how specific wavelengths can alter the material's state. This finding is crucial as it can lead to the development of new and advanced electronic devices, potentially transforming the field of electronics by enabling more efficient and adaptable materials.