Molecule-Based Photonically Switched Half-Adder

A molecule-based binary half-adder with optical inputs and outputs has been demonstrated. The half-adder consists of two photochromic organic molecules in solution and a third-harmonic-generating crystal. One substance acts as an AND Boolean logic gate and the other as an XOR gate. Inputs are laser pulses at 1064 or 532 nm that initiate photoisomerization reactions. Outputs are the optical absorbance of a fullerene radical anion (AND gate) and fluorescence of a porphyrin (XOR gate). The system carries out binary addition based on the laser input pulses. Half-adders in combination are capable of carrying out all mathematical operations necessary for digital computing.