Researchers at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University have created large-scale films of chiral carbon nanotubes that convert light frequencies with extreme efficiency. By isolating nanotubes with a single helical twist, the team confirmed that these materials can perform second harmonic generation at levels significantly higher than conventional materials. This breakthrough in nanophotonics could lead to smaller, more energy-efficient optoelectronic devices and flexible electronics. The ability to integrate these carbon-based films with existing silicon photonics infrastructure offers a path toward more sustainable and compact light-signal processing technology.
