Applications, molecular electronics control light

Another possible field of application of PET across membranes may be molecular electronics (see the recent monographs [278-280]). So far little information is available on the application of bilayer membranes to this field. However it cannot be ruled out that in the future electrogenic membranes including light-controlled ones may be used as the components of molecular electronics. 

Research into light-initiated chemical reactions and processes on solid surfaces is a growing new field which promises to yield a number of useful applications molecular photo-devices for super memory, photo-chemical vapor deposition to produce thin-layered electronic semiconducting materials, sensitive optical media, and the control of photochemical reaction paths, etc. In fact, photochemistry on solid surfaces is now a major field in a national research project on "Frontiers of Highly Efficient Photochemical Processes" sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan. 

The possibility of reflection of electrons by an evanescent wave formed upon the total internal reflection of femtosecond light pulses from a dielectric-vacuum interface is quite realistic. The duration of the reflected electron pulses may be as long as 100 fs. In the case of electrons reflecting from a curved evanescent wave, one can simultaneously control the duration of the reflected electron pulse and affect its focusing (Fig. lc). Of course, one can imagine many other schemes for controlling the motion of electrons, as is now the case with resonant laser radiation of moderate intensity [9, 10]. In other words, one can think of the possibility of developing femtosecond laser-induced electron optics. Such ultrashort electron pulses may possibly find application in studies into the molecular dynamics of chemical reactions [1,2]. 

Membrane characteristics, such as membrane potential and ion permeability, can be controlled by photoirradiation when photoisomerizable chromophores are incorporated into the membrane. The membrane can fabricate an organic-photosensor, which changes the potential in an on-off fashion when light irradiation is used as an input signal. Such an application of organic membranes is of considerable interest in connection with the development of molecular based electronic devices. 

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