Materials analysis and spectroscopy

Photonic crystal mode probed with CL

Cathodoluminescence spectroscopy

Group: Photonic Materials

We carry out angle-, polarisation, and time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy in a 30 keV SEM to probe optical properties at the nanoscale.

Potential applications

  • High spatial-resolution mapping of optical properties of materials
  • Probing photon emission correlations in quantum materials

Reference
N.J. Schilder, H. Agrawal, E.C. Garnett and A. Polman, Phase-Resolved Surface Plasmon Scattering Probed by Cathodoluminescence Holography, ACS Photonics 7, 6: 1476-1482 (2020)

Back to expertise list

K-space microscopy of nano-objects
Group: Resonant Nanophotonics

We developed fully phase- and polarisation resolved high-NA measurements of radiation patterns of single nano-objects. This can be exploited for metrology and near-field imaging: detecting nanometer near-field geometries by radiation pattern features.

Potential applications

  • Wafer metrology
  • Near field imaging
  • Fluorescence nanoscopy

Reference
R. Röhrich, C. Hoekmeijer, C.I. Osorio and A.F. Koenderink, Quantifying single plasmonic nanostructure far -fields with interferometric and polarimetric k-space microscopy, Light : Sci. Appl. 7, 65: 1-11 (2018)

Back to expertise list

Nonlinear spectroscopy of liquids and surfaces
Group: Ultrafast Spectroscopy

We develop and use advanced laser-based spectroscopic techniques to study the molecular-scale structure and dynamics of (aqueous) solutions and surfaces. We can measure the vibrational spectrum and orientation of molecules at surfaces with molecular-scale (sub-nanometer) depth resolution.

Potential applications

  • Study of the molecular-scale properties of liquid and solid surfaces, like two- or three-component mixtures and coatings

Reference
K. Meister, C.J. Moll, S. Chakraborty, B. Jana, A.L. DeVries, H. Ramløv and H.J. Bakker, Molecular structure of a hyperactive antifreeze protein adsorbed to ice, J. Chem. Phys. 150, 13: 131101: 1-5 (2019)

Back to expertise list

Pressure-dependent measurements of optoelectronic materials
Group: Hybrid Solar Cells

We study semiconductors under hydrostatic pressure up to 400 MPa. We measure absorption, photoluminescence, time-resolved absorption and photoluminescence and electrical measurements under pressure. Thereby we study how the changes in atomic distances influence properties relevant for applications.

Potential applications

  • Study optical material properties under pressure
  • Measure the response of electrical devices under mechanical load
Back to expertise list
Photoluminescent portrait of Marie Skłodowska Curie, fabricated by an ion exchange reaction towards perovskite.

Self-assembly
Group: Self-Organizing Matter

The research focuses on the dynamic interplay between chemical reactions and crystallization phenomena to control the emergence of complexity in the solid state. In particular, the group aims to design physical-chemical schemes to self-organize microscale devices and functional materials.

Potential applications

  • Functional nano composites
  • Catalysis
  • Photovoltaics

Reference
L. Helmbrecht, M.H. Futscher, L.A. Muscarella, B. Ehrler and W.L. Noorduin, Ion Exchange Lithography: Localized Ion Exchange Reactions for Spatial Patterning of Perovskite Semiconductors and Insulators, Adv. Mater., 2005291: 1-6 (2021)

Back to expertise list

Time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy
Group: Photonic Materials

Time-resolved CL measurements of thermal conductivity in GaN nanowire

We developed an ultrafast SEM-CL microscope with ps electron pulses made by laser-induced photoemission. It can be used for pump-probe CL microscopy.

Potential applications

  • Study ultrafast excitation and relaxations in materials at high spatial resolution
  • Nanoscale thermometry
  • Nanoscale measurements of thermal conductivity

Reference
Kelly W. Mauser, Magdalena Solà-Garcia, Matthias Liebtrau, Benjamin Damilano, Pierre-Marie Coulon, Stéphane Vézian, Philip Shields, Sophie Meuret, Albert Polman, Probing nanoscale thermal transport with cathodoluminescence thermometry, arXiv:2012.14890v1 [cond-mat.mes-hall]

Back to expertise list