Light-induced structural transformations in a single gallium nanoparticulate

TL;DR

This study demonstrates reversible light-induced structural phase transitions in a single gallium nanoparticle, revealing five distinct phases triggered by low-power optical excitation, with potential implications for nanoscale optical switching.

Contribution

First observation of multiple reversible light-induced phase changes in a single gallium nanoparticle at nanowatt power levels.

Findings

Identified five structural phases: gamma, epsilon, delta, beta, liquid.

Reversible transitions occur at low optical power levels.

Transitions are stimulated by optical excitation.

Abstract

In a single gallium nanoparticulate, self-assembled (from an atomic beam) in a nano-aperture at the tip of a tapered optical fiber, we have observed evidence for a sequence of reversible light-induced transformations between five different structural phases (gamma - epsilon - delta - beta - liquid), stimulated by optical excitation at nanowatt power levels.