Investigating the relationship between the atomic or molecular structure of materials and their macroscopic properties is a core aspect in the interdisciplinary field of materials science. The insights thus gained help in creating or modifying materials for improved performance. PicoQuant provides powerful tools like steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy or microscopy to study a material’s excited state dynamics and processes. Coupling our fluorescence microscopes and spectrometers enables the acquisition of steady-state and time-resolved spectra from defined points or regions of interest in the sample. The resulting multidimensional datasets provide valuable new insights. Several combinations of different instruments are possible. Depending on the research question, one may be more suitable than others.
Studied with TRPL Imaging and Carrier Diffusion Mapping
Investigations of solar cells, photovoltaic devices, and semiconductors are essential to enhance their electronic and optical properties as well as the efficiency of their preparation methods. We present a powerful toolbox of non-destructive time-resolved spectroscopy and microscopy techniques for researchers. The combination of these two techniques enables investigations of photophysical properties of semiconductors on a whole new level.
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Quantum Well Wafer Dynamics in Optoelectronics and Semiconductor Devices
A quantum well wafer is a specialized semiconductor structure used in the fields of optoelectronics and semiconductor devices. It consists of a thin layer of a semiconductor material, in this case GaAsP, sandwiched between two thicker layers of a different semiconductor material, in this case AlGaAs. The key feature of the quantum well layer is that it's thickness of a few nanometers confines the motion of electrons in one dimension, which leads to quantized energy levels that result in several unique properties. These enable for example creation of lasers with specific wavelengths or enhancement of photodetector efficiency. The motion of free electrons, i.e. the charge carrier dynamics, can be observed with TRPL measurements.
We thank Andrea Knigge from the Ferdinand-Braun Institute in Berlin, Germany for the quantum well sample.
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Lighting and Display Device Technologies
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) materials are essential components in lighting and display device technologies, and understanding their properties is crucial for optimizing performance. Time-resolved microscopy and spectroscopy are valuable tools for the characterization of new LED materials. From time-resolved data, researchers can elucidate charge carrier dynamics, including carrier trapping, diffusion, and recombination. For example, shorter lifetimes may indicate non-radiative recombination pathways that reduce the LED's efficiency. Thus, understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing LED materials and manufacturing processes to reduce non-radiative losses.
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Singlet Oxygen Detection, CO2 Photoreduction, H2 Production, and Environmental Purification
Photocatalysis is a process that utilizes the energy of light to activate a substance, known as a photocatalyst, to drive chemical reactions. It has a wide range of applications, including environmental purification, and chemical synthesis. The photocatalyst typically is a semiconducting material like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. When the photocatalyst is exposed to light, electrons in the material are excited from the valence band to the conduction band, creating electron-hole pairs. These charge carriers are essential for driving chemical reactions.
Improving the efficiency and selectivity of photocatalysts is essential to maximize their performance in various applications. Ongoing research in this field pursues various strategies, such as sensitization, enhancing charge separation, or improving light utilization.
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Quantum Dots, Carbon Dots, TMDs
Nanomaterials, including nanoparticles and 2D materials, are unique due to their remarkable physical, chemical, and electronic properties that emerge at the nanoscale because of quantum confinement. For example, they can scatter, absorb, or emit light differently from bulk materials. 2D materials like graphene have excellent electron transport properties, making them attractive for next-generation electronic devices and transparent conductive films.
The properties of nanomaterials can be finely tuned by adjusting their size, shape, or composition. This tunability is essential for tailoring them to specific applications, from electronics to catalysis. Working with nanomaterials also presents challenges, and TRPL is one of the characterization techniques that can address these challenges.
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