ー 概要 ー
この論文は、AIと自動化を組み合わせた「自己駆動実験室（自動で実験と解析を繰り返すシステム）」を使い、固体レーザーに使える新しい有機分子（光を出す材料）を効率的に見つけた研究です。252種類の候補から計算で絞り込み、実験と自動分析で51種類を詳しく検証しました。その結果、色を自由に変えられ、かつ溶液で加工しやすい分子群を発見しました。特に、特定の化学構造をもつ分子では、赤外線に近い長い波長の光を出せることが確認されました。さらに、実際の薄膜デバイスでもレーザー発振の可能性が示されました。この研究は、材料探索を自動化・高速化し、新しい光デバイスの開発を加速する重要な成果です。
ー ポイント ー
・AIと自動実験を組み合わせた「自己駆動実験室」で材料探索を実施
・252候補から効率的に絞り込み、51種類を実験で評価
・色を広範囲に調整できる有機発光分子を発見
・赤色〜近赤外の光を出す有望な新材料を特定
・薄膜デバイスでもレーザー特性の可能性を確認
ー 論文情報 ー
タイトル：Discovery of tunable and soluble organic emitters for solid-state lasers with a self-driving laboratory
著者：Hyun Suk Park, Mahdi Mazaheri, Changhyeok Choi, Han Hao, Davide Avagliano, Eric Isbrandt, Buddhika S. B. Karunathilaka, Chihaya Adachi, Alán Aspuru-Guzik
掲載誌：Nature Communications
補足：17, Article number: 2920, 2026-01-23, Published
DOI：10.1038/s41467-026-69233-2
URL： https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69233-2
— Summary —
This paper describes a study that efficiently discovered new organic molecules (light-emitting materials) usable in solid-state lasers using a "self-driven laboratory" (a system that automatically repeats experiments and analyses) combining AI and automation. From 252 candidate molecules, the list was narrowed down by calculation, and 51 were thoroughly verified through experiments and automated analysis. As a result, a group of molecules was discovered that can freely change color and are easy to process in solution. In particular, it was confirmed that molecules with specific chemical structures can emit light with long wavelengths close to infrared. Furthermore, the possibility of laser oscillation in actual thin-film devices was demonstrated. This research is an important achievement that will automate and accelerate material discovery, and accelerate the development of new optical devices.
— Key Points —
- Material discovery conducted in a "self-driven laboratory" combining AI and automated experiments
- Efficiently narrowed down from 252 candidates and evaluated 51 types experimentally
- Discovered organic light-emitting molecules that can adjust color over a wide range
- Identified promising new materials that emit red to near-infrared light
- Confirmed the possibility of laser properties even in thin-film devices
Paper information -
Title: Discovery of tunable and soluble organic emitters for solid-state lasers with a self-driving laboratory
Author: Hyun Suk Park, Mahdi Mazaheri, Changhyeok Choi, Han Hao, Davide Avagliano, Eric Isbrandt, Buddhika S. B. Karunathilaka, Chihaya Adachi, Alán Aspuru-Guzik
Magazine: Nature Communications
Supplement: 17, Article number: 2920, 2026-01-23, Published
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69233-2
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69233-2
