Radical materials and devices for opto-spintronics

In this project, the fundamental photo- and spin physics of organic radical materials will be investigated towards molecular-scale electronics and quantum information technologies. Unlike most organic materials which contain all-paired electrons, the radicals' unpaired electron has a quantum mechanical property called spin which gives rise to magnetism and 'doublet' character. We have shown that their spin property can be combined with strong luminescence to make highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes for converting electricity to light: more efficient than non-radical counterparts that have been used to date. By utilising the radicals' luminescence, spin and magnetic properties, the student will explore novel functionality for combined optoelectronic and spintronic applications, towards opto-spintronics.