Light-stimulatable molecules/nanoparticles networks for switchable logical functions and reservoir computing

Abstract The fabrication and electron transport properties of nanoparticles self-assembled networks (NPSAN) of molecular switches (azobenzene derivatives) interconnected by Au nanoparticles are reported, and optically driven switchable logical operations associated to the light-controlled switching of the molecules are demonstrated. The switching yield is up to 74%. It is also demonstrated that these NPSANs are prone to light-stimulable reservoir computing. The complex nonlinearity of electron transport and dynamics in these highly connected and recurrent networks of molecular junctions exhibits rich high harmonics generation (HHG) required for reservoir computing approaches. Logical functions and HHG are controlled by the isomerization of the molecules upon light illumination. These results, without direct analogs in semiconductor devices, open new perspectives to molecular electronics in unconventional computing.