Overview
- Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory report the first electrically driven LEDs based on lanthanide‑doped nanoparticles, published in Nature on November 19.
- Charges are injected into 9‑anthracenecarboxylic acid molecules grafted to the nanoparticle surface, which bypasses the insulating core and transfers energy from triplet states to lanthanide ions.
- The prototype LnLEDs emit in the second near‑infrared window with exceptionally narrow spectral width, offering purer emission than typical quantum dots.
- Devices operate at roughly 5 V and achieve a first‑generation peak external quantum efficiency above 0.6%, with the team outlining routes to improve performance and stability.
- The work, led by Akshay Rao with key contributions from Zhongzheng Yu and Yunzhou Deng, positions the platform for future applications in deep‑tissue imaging, optical communications, and sensing.