Project description
Interactions of light with single atoms under study
The primary goal of the EU-funded PICOFORCE project is to trap light down to the size of individual atoms. The project's work centers on allowing researchers to move individual metal atoms by light, and twist, compress and flip individual molecules on demand. The knowledge generated should provide a step-change in understanding how ions, solvents, molecules and electrons interact, which is critical in catalysis, molecular electronics, electrochemistry and nano-assembly.
Objective
The key aim of this project is to understand and utilise optically-produced forces on the atomic scale through pico-photonics, in order to devise future nano-mechanisms and nano-machines. Key goals are to move individual metal atoms by light, twist and compress and flip individual molecules on demand, and provide a step-change in the comprehension of how ions, solvent, molecules and electrons interact at interfaces, which is critical in catalysis, molecular electronics, electrochemistry, and nano-assembly.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantHost institution
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom