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Researchers have developed and demonstrated a technique that allows them to engineer a class of materials called layered hybrid perovskites (LHPs) down to the atomic level, which dictates precisely how the materials convert electrical charge into light. The technique opens the door to engineering materials tailored for use in next-generation printed LEDs and lasers—and holds promise for engineering other materials for use in photovoltaic devices.

The paper, "Cationic Ligation Guides Quantum Well Formation in Layered Hybrid Perovskites," is published in the journal Matter.

Perovskites, which are defined by their crystalline structure, have desirable optical, electronic and quantum properties. LHPs consist of incredibly thin sheets of perovskite semiconductor material that are separated from each other by thin organic "spacer" layers.

LHPs can be laid down as thin films consisting of multiple sheets of perovskite and organic spacer layers. These materials are desirable because they can efficiently convert electrical charge into light, making them promising for use in next-generation LEDs, lasers and photonic integrated circuits.

However, while LHPs have been of interest to the research community for years, there was little understanding of how to engineer these materials in order to control their performance characteristics.

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