Chiral Surface Excitons (IMAGE)

Rutgers University

Chiral Surface Excitons

Caption

The two types of 'chiral surface excitons' are on the right and left side of the image. They are generated by right- and left-handed light (photons in blue). The excitons consist of an electron (light blue) orbiting a 'hole' (black) in the same orientation as the light. The electron and hole are annihilated in less than a trillionth of a second, emitting light (photons in green) that could be harnessed for lighting, solar cells, lasers and electronic displays.

Credit

Hsiang-Hsi (Sean) Kung/Rutgers University-New Brunswick

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