LMU researchers have utilized DNA origami to create a diamond lattice with a periodicity of hundreds of nanometers, a groundbreaking approach for manufacturing semiconductors for visible light. Photonic crystals are responsible for the shimmering colors seen on butterfly wings, with their periodic nanostructure allowing specific wavelengths of light to pass through while reflecting others. These crystals have a wide range of applications, including more efficient solar cells and materials for quantum communication, but have been difficult to manufacture until now. Through DNA nanotechnology, the LMU team has developed a new method for producing photonic crystals, which has been published in the journal Science.
The LMU team uses DNA origami instead of lithographic techniques to design and synthesize building blocks that self-assemble into a specific lattice structure. By enlarging the structure of a diamond crystal by a factor of 500, they were able to create spaces between the building blocks that correspond with the wavelength of light. This was achieved by replacing individual atoms with larger building blocks through DNA origami. The DNA origami building blocks, created using a long, ring-shaped DNA strand and a set of short DNA staples, form crystals that are approximately ten micrometers in size. These crystals are then coated with titanium dioxide by a cooperating research group, altering their photonic properties.
The unique structure created by the DNA origami diamond lattice, with its large pores that are chemically addressable, is expected to stimulate further research in areas such as energy harvesting and storage. While classic lithographic techniques are suitable for photonic crystals that work in the infrared range, they have been unsuccessful for those in the visible and UV light wavelength range. The self-assembly of DNA origami in an aqueous solution offers a more cost-effective and efficient alternative for producing structures in the desired size and quantity. The team is confident that this breakthrough will lead to advancements in photonics and other areas of research.
In the same issue of Science, a collaboration led by Professor Petr Šulc of Arizona State University and TUM presents a theoretical framework for designing diverse crystalline lattices using patchy colloids. They experimentally demonstrate this method using DNA origami building blocks to form a pyrochlore lattice, which could also be used for photonic applications. By combining theoretical research with practical applications, researchers are paving the way for further innovation in the field of photonics and materials science. The advancements made by these research teams highlight the potential of DNA origami in revolutionizing semiconductor manufacturing for visible light and opening up new possibilities for a range of applications.