Hyperfine coupling of a radical ion pair in metal free organic crystals is responsible for room temperature, second-persisting phosphorescence.

Non-invasive remote control technologies designed to manipulate neural functions have been long-awaited for the comprehensive and quantitative understanding of neuronal network in the brain as well as for the therapy of neurological disorders. Recently, it has become possible for the neuronal activity to be optically manipulated using biological photo-reactive molecules such as channelrhodopsin (ChR)-2. However, ChR2 and its relatives are mostly reactive to visible light, which does not effectively penetrate through biological tissues. In contrast, near-infrared (NIR) light (650–1450 nm) penetrates deep into the tissues because biological systems are almost transparent to light within this so-called ‘imaging window’. Here we used lanthanide nanoparticles (LNPs), composed of rare-earth elements, as luminous bodies to activate ChRs since they absorb low-energy NIR light to emit high-energy visible light (up-conversion). Here, we created a new type of optogenetic system which consists of the donor LNPs and the acceptor ChRs. The NIR laser irradiation emitted visible light from LNPs, then induced the photo-reactive responses in the near-by cells that expressed ChRs. However, there remains room for large improvements in the energy efficiency of the LNP-ChR system.

Reports on the room temperature phosphorescence of metal-free organic crystals have been surging in the past few years. Together with interests in the rare phenomenon, these compounds have attracted attention for such potential applications as bio-imaging probes, oxygen sensors, and organic light-emitting diodes. For common organic compounds, phosphorescence is the emission from a triplet excited state, which is usually produced from a singlet excited state through intersystem crossing, a forbidden spin-flip of an electron. The mechanism of the forbidden process is the key to understanding such rare phenomenon and designing new phosphorescence materials. In this account, we make commentaries on the main intersystem crossing mechanisms proposed to date of the room temperature phosphorescence of heavy-atom-free, crystalline organic compounds, focusing on our own findings.