All-optical nanosecond switch using mm-sized liquid crystal droplet doped with fluorescent dye outperforms silicon-based photonics

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1119310

"converting light signals into electrical using rigid solid-state materials creates heat/ limits speed, overcome using liquid crystal droplets self-organizing into functional optical structures... laser pulse excites dye, droplet stores optical energy emitting it upon 2nd (lower-intensity) pulse, switching output wavelength at ns speed... forms large-area contact with waveguide, enabling superior light transfer...  biocompatible, producible at low temperatures... flexible, cheap, low-power, implantable devices"