Ultrafast Switching organic Crystals for Telecommunication

An organic crystal was switched between paraelectric and ferroelectric states in a picosecond. Similar materials could eventually serve as extremely fast digital switches.

Fast-changing crystals. The organic crystal of Tetrathiafulvalenechloranil was changed in a picosecond from paraelectric to ferroelectric with a rapid electric-field pulse. Such high-speed performance could be useful for optical switching in telecommunications network.

Telecommunications networks need high speed materials that can rapidly switch between a “zero” and a “one” state, and / or operates from UV to Infrared Spectrum.

Now, its possible to demonstrate a fast and temporary change of state in an organic crystal using a picosecond ( 10−12 seconds) electric-field pulse. The switching worked at temperatures between 90 and 260 K, within 40 degrees of room temperature, laying the groundwork for future more practical materials.