Revolutionary Light-Controlled Charge Routing in Atom-Thin Metals Promises Next-Gen Electronics

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have unveiled a novel technique to direct electrical charge flow in ultrathin metallic films using light at ambient conditions. This breakthrough paves the way for advanced, energy-efficient optical sensors, detectors, and quantum information technologies. Published in the esteemed journal Science Advances, the study demonstrates that ultra-thin ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂) layers grown on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) exhibit direction-dependent behaviors in response to light and electrical conduction. Bharat Jalan, the senior author and Shell Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, explained, "By precisely designing these ultra-thin metal layers, we've harnessed new interactions with light—something not observed in thicker counterparts. This approach allows us to tailor the rapid conductivity of metals through controlled epitaxial strain, a technique traditionally used with semiconductors and insulators." The team discovered that manipulating atomic strain in different directions enables control over the material's optical response at room temperature, making it applicable to real-world devices. Seunggyo Jeo...