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Photonic Devices Out of Equilibrium: Transient Memory, Signal Propagation, and Sensing
Author(s) -
Heuser Thomas,
Merindol Rémi,
Loescher Sebastian,
Klaus Aileen,
Walther Andreas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201606842
Subject(s) - photonics , materials science , transient (computer programming) , signal (programming language) , computation , nonlinear system , optoelectronics , photonic crystal , nanotechnology , block (permutation group theory) , polymer , computer science , physics , composite material , geometry , mathematics , algorithm , quantum mechanics , programming language , operating system
Soft photonic materials are important for sensors, displays, or energy management and have become switchable under static equilibrium conditions by integration of responsive polymer features. The next step is to equip such materials with the ability for autonomously dynamic and self‐regulating behavior, which would advance their functionality and application possibilities to new levels. Here, this study shows the system integration of a nonlinear, biocatalytic pH‐feedback system with a pH‐responsive block copolymer photonic gel, and demonstrates autonomous transient memories, remotely controlled signal propagation, and sensing. This study utilizes an enzymatic switch to program the lifetime of the reflective state of a photonic gel, and induces propagation of pH‐waves extinguishable by illumination with UV‐light. The described combination of nonlinear chemistry and responsive photonic gels opens pathways toward out‐of‐equilibrium photonic devices with active and autonomous behavior useful for sensing, computation, and communication.