The lecture entitled “Dash dot / dot dash / dash dot / dash dash dash – Morse Coding with nanotechnology” will be delivered by Prof. Sebastian Maćkowski from the Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
The presentation will focus on coding using nanotechnology, combining issues related to physics and modern technological solutions.
Organisational Information
- Date: 14 October 2026 (Wednesday), 10:15 a.m.
- Venue: Small Assembly Hall, Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 149/153, Łódź
- Speaker: Prof. Sebastian Maćkowski, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Lecture Title: Dash dot / dot dash / dash dot / dash dash dash – Morse Coding with nanotechnology
Abstract: Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are attractive nanoscale emitters due
to their high quantum yields, photostability, and spectral tunability. Silver nanowires (AgNWs),
in turn, support long-range propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). During the
presentation I will show how a voltage-free method of precise and reproducible deposition of
QD-containing microdroplets can be combined with controlled positioning of AgNWs to
assemble hybrid nanostructures on demand.
The approach relies on hydrophobic microcapillaries controlled by piezoelectric actuators,
enabling fabrication of microdroplets smaller than 500 nm and containing controlled numbers
of QDs, down to single emitters. Importantly, deposited microdroplets can be repositioned on
the surface without morphological or optical degradation.
In one experiment, a QD-containing microdroplet was moved along a single AgNW while the
nanowire was optically excited at one end. The decrease of luminescence intensity with
distance enabled non-invasive determination of plasmon damping in the AgNW. In another
experiment, two AgNWs were connected by a QD-containing microdroplet. Optical excitation
of one nanowire produced emission from the far end of the second nanowire, demonstrating
remote transfer of optical signals mediated by the QDs.
These results provide a platform for constructing hybrid QD–AgNW architectures with
predefined geometry and functionality, promising for nanoscale optical communication,
information processing, and biosensing.
The seminar will be conducted in English.
We warmly invite everyone to attend!
