Multiconfigurable logic gate operation in 1D polydiacetylene microtube waveguide

Abstract

Recently, multiconfigurable logic gate operation in one-dimensional (1D) nano/micrometer-sized waveguide materials have attracted enormous attention due to their potential applications in ultrafast information processing and optical computing systems, since 1D nano/micrometer-sized waveguides can directly act as the key building blocks of miniaturized optoelectronics. Herein, we designed and fabricated viologen-functionalized polydiacetylene (VFPDA) microtubes via a thiol–ene based ‘click’ reaction, and the tip emission of the VFPDA microtube exhibited a strong dependence on thermal or electrical stimuli, and the polarization of the excited linearly polarized light. Various basic logic gates (NOR, AND, INH) and combinational logic circuits (INH–INH, AND–INH) were constructed successfully by using two or three of the above triggers as the input signals, and the tip emission of a VFPDA microtube as the output signal. We expected this novel resettable multiconfigurable logic gate operation in micrometer-sized waveguides to show promising new opportunities in miniaturized electro-optical switches, smart integrated optical devices and circuits for future information technology.