Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence: Roles of Localized Electronic Structures Caused by π Degeneracy Due to Highly Symmetric Heavy Atom‐Free Conjugated Molecular Crystals Leading to Efficient Persistent Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence (Adv. Sci. 14/2019)

Persistent room‐temperature phosphorescence realizes high‐contrast and high‐resolution imaging independent of autofluorescence using small‐scale and cost‐effective photodetectors. In article number 1900410, Shuzo Hirata investigates a key mechanism leading to persistent emission from highly symmetric heavy‐atom‐free conjugated molecular crystals. Charge transfer characteristics caused by π‐degeneracy due to highly symmetric conjugated structure contributes to the appearance of persistent room‐temperature phosphorescence from the crystals. [Image: see text]