Ligand-protected metal nanoclusters as low-loss, highly polarized emitters for optical waveguides

Photoluminescent molecules and nanomaterials have potential applications as active waveguides, but such a use has often been limited by high optical losses and complex fabrication processes. We explored ligand-protected metal nanoclusters (LPMNCs), which can have strong, stable, and tunable emission, as waveguides. Two alloy LPMNCs, Pt 1 Ag 18 and Au x Ag 19– x (7 ≤ x ≤ 9), were synthesized and structurally determined. Crystals of both exhibited excellent optical waveguide performance, with optical loss coefficients of 5.26 × 10 −3 and 7.77 × 10 −3 decibels per micrometer, respectively, lower than those demonstrated by most inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials. The crystal packing and molecular orientation…