Physics Spotlight  
In the team's experimental setup, electricity was supplied to a tiny piece of tungsten selenide (small rectangle at center) through two gold wires (from top left and right), causing it to emit light (bright area at center), demonstrating its potential as an LED material. IMAGE COURTESY OF HUGH CHURCHILL AND FELICE FRANKEIn the team's experimental setup, electricity was supplied to a tiny piece of tungsten selenide (small rectangle at center) through two gold wires (from top left and right), causing it to emit light (bright area at center), demonstrating its potential as an LED material. IMAGE COURTESY OF HUGH CHURCHILL AND FELICE FRANKE

Two-dimensional material shows promise for optoelectronics

Team creates LEDs, photovoltaic cells, and light detectors using novel one-molecule-thick material.

David L. Chandler
MIT News Office
March 10, 2014


A team of MIT researchers has used a novel material that’s just a few atoms thick to create devices that can harness or emit light. This proof-of-concept could lead to ultrathin, lightweight, and flexible photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and other optoelectronic devices, they say.