Light and Materials is one of five profile areas at Lund University.
Light and Materials will harness the recent dramatic progress in our ability to measure and control light and materials. This substantially improves our understanding of the natural world, and enables new technological developments that addresses societal challenges in the fields of health, energy and environment.
Expertise and research infrastructure available in NanoLund, Lund Laser Centre (LLC) and MAX IV allows scientists to gain insights into light-induced processes and functionalities of materials that were previously impossible to study.
During a fortuitous lunch discussion on the Light Meets Materials Synergy Day 2023, the seed to the project “Light-Driven Material Optimization” was born. In November, this project was selected as one of the five Young Investigator Synergy Awards. Embarking on the frontier of renewable energy, the project seeks to enhance zinc phosphide (Zn3P2), an earth-abundant solar cell material with potential in sustainable energy harvesting, and ternary compounds based on this system.
At its core, the project is a dynamic fusion of two fundamental research components: material growth and light-based characterisation. The grown materials will undergo comprehensive scrutiny through various spectroscopic techniques. These characterisation outcomes, in turn, will intricately guide the subsequent phases of material growth.
The journey within this project promises to unravel a profound understanding of light-matter interactions within Zn3P2 nanostructures, unlocking the potential for high-performance solar cells. Beyond these solar applications, the insights gained could pave the way for diverse collaborations and explorations. The versatility of Zn3P2 nanostructures positions them as candidates for applications ranging from infra-red light-emitting diodes and photosensors to photocatalysis. As a cost-effective and abundantly available material, Zn3P2 is poised to make significant strides in commercial applications.
Overview of the selective area epitaxy process and the coalescence for Zn3P2 with increasing growth time going from left to right. Courtesy of Aidas Urbonavicius.
“Light-Driven Material Optimization” is not merely a project; it is a visionary exploration into the realms of renewable energy, poised to reshape the landscape of materials science and light-based technologies.
The team
The dynamic duo comprises the two postdoctoral fellows Simon Escobar Steinvall, a material scientist from the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, and Zehan Yao, a spectroscopy expert from the Chemical Physics Division. This collaboration between a material scientist and a spectroscopic expert embodies the perfect synergy of light and material, propelling our project toward unprecedented heights.
From an idea that stemmed from the broad scientific interest in exploring the impact of confined electromagnetic fields on material properties, Fan Wu and Abdullah Abdelatief teamed up to investigate material-electromagnetic field interactions via a tuneable microcavity system and ultrafast spectroscopy. Their project is one of the five awarded a Light & Materials Young Investigator Award in 2023.
The project revolves around studying the interactions between materials and confined electromagnetic fields. The project aims to systematically study how this interaction, ranging from weak to strong coupling regimes, modifies dynamic processes in various systems, such as photosynthetic units, solar cell films, and rare-earth ion-doped nanoparticles, with a combined setup of a tuneable microcavity system and ultrafast pump probe spectroscopy.
The utilization of Fabry Perot optical microcavities is a well-established method for mediating the light-matter interaction. To address the challenges associated with traditional microcavity sample fabrication, Fan and Abdullah propose the development of a tuneable microcavity system, allowing for easy adjustments of the cavity resonance frequency and mode volume, providing a versatile platform for studying a wide range of materials and coupling strengths. The integration with ultrafast pump probe spectroscopy further enhances the capability to study dynamic processes in real-time. The project’s motivation lies in the potential applications of these findings in optimizing devices like artificial photosynthetic devices, solar cells, and exploring rare-earth ion-doped nanoparticles for quantum computing.
Schematic of the setup combining tuneable microcavity system with ultrafast pump probe spectroscopy.
This project connects light and material in two ways. One is the coupled microcavity system which mediates the interaction between the materials inside the cavity and the light mode of the cavity. Also, the dynamics of the coupled microcavity system (material part) will be studied by the ultrafast laser technique-pump probe spectrometer (light part).
A better understanding of the dynamics of the coupled microcavity system and the discovery of the optimal light-matter coupling conditions (strong, weak or intermediate coupling strength) would help the design of artificial photosynthetic devices and solar cell devices and the application of rare-earth ion doped nanoparticles as quantum qubits.
About the team
Fan Wu and Abdullah Abdelatief
This project is led by Dr. Fan Wu, a postdoc in Chemical Physics, and Abdullah Abdelatief, a PhD student in Atom Physics. Fan’s expertise in strong light-matter interactions and ultrafast pump probe spectroscopy complementing with Abdullah’s proficiency in building high-precision tuneable microcavity systems and weak light-matter interactions perfectly combines light and material and ensures the successful implementation of the project.
As we delve into the microscopic world, the familiar laws of physics take a captivating twist. Nedjma Ouahioune and Nelia Zaiats invite you to join them in unravelling the mysteries of particles in matter in a project granted a Young Investigator Synergy Award 2023.
“Our project is a journey to understand the dynamics of charge currents induced by light (electron waves) in nanostructures”, says Nedjma Ouahioune. It all started when Nedjma, working on advanced laser systems capable of delivering attosecond (10-18 s) light pulses in the so-called “MHz laboratory”, and Nelia at the Synchrotron Radiation Research, putting forward her nanofabrication and advanced imaging systems background, sparked a thought: What if we combined a photoelectron microscope with the fastest laser known… Could we learn something new about the dynamics of electron waves throughout their interaction with light? From this question, the two doctoral students decided they needed access to the electronic structure and the energy distribution of the emitted electrons within these short time scales.
In this project, the plan is to use two light sources simultaneously – both to excite the charge currents and to resolve their temporal evolution throughout propagation. “To observe the charge currents in the real and reciprocal space, we aim to integrate our energy-resolved photoemission electron microscope with our lasers”, says Nedjma. Nelia continues by describing that selecting the right structures for interaction is crucial, as they must be tailored to have an optical response compatible with the laser facility. “Our experimental research aims to fundamentally understand the coherent propagation of electrons and the structures that sustain them”, Nelia says.
Nedjma and Nelia invite you to come along as they embark on this scientific journey, striving to unlock the secrets of this intricate interplay between light and electrons!
About the team
Nelia Zaiats and Nedjma Ouahioune in front of the “MHz laboratory”, at the Division of Atomic Physics. Photo by: Nelia Zaiats and Nedjma Ouahioune.
Nedjma Ouahioune is a PhD student at Atomic Physics. In her research, she studies ultrafast electron dynamics in small quantum systems with an attosecond resolution.
Nelia Zaiats is a PhD student at Synchrotron Radiation Research. Her research focuses on fabricating and studying dynamics in nanostructures with advanced light sources down to atomic length and time scales.
Pairing Nelia’s experience in fabricating and following dynamics in nanostructures together with Nedjma’s expertise to study quantum systems with attosecond pulses is a perfect match for this project. The team wishes to recognise the great support from their supervisors, who agreed to host the project.
Focusing on addressing the challenges associated with defects in gallium indium phosphide (GaInP) nanowire light-emitting diodes (LEDs), Qi Shi and Yue Zhao want to develop a novel technique, AI-enhanced intensity modulation two-photon excited photoluminescence microscopy (IM2PM). This method aims to provide detailed insights into the surface defect properties and associated recombination dynamics in GaInP nanowire LEDs influencing material choices for high-quality LEDs. This collaborative project was granted a Light & Materials Young Investigator Award 2023.
The inherent defects formed during the growth of GaInP nanowires lead to non-radiative losses and limit the quantum efficiency of a LED. The newly developed AI-enhanced intensity modulation two-photon excited photoluminescence (PL) microscopy (IM2PM) is used to study the fundamental photophysical properties of the defects and how surface passivation influences the related carrier recombination processes with sufficient spatial resolution. The information on the defect-related dynamics of surface passivation will be used to optimize the surface passivation of GaInP nanowires. This will lead to the development of high-quality LEDs with improved efficiency.
Workflow of the AI-enhanced functional imaging for GaInP NWs LEDs devices.
“Our project bridges the gap between light and materials science, GaInP nanowires micro-LED construction and passivation (material), and AI-enhanced functional microscopy (light) to study surface defect properties and carrier recombination dynamics”, says Qi Shi. This project provides valuable insights into material behaviour under light excitation and proposes a novel feedback-controlled material optimization system for a new generation of sustainable LEDs, which could contribute to their applications in energy-saving LEDs required by industry and society.
This interdisciplinary project opens doors to many future opportunities. “Scientifically, our research can lead to a deeper understanding of surface defect-related dynamics in GaInP nanowires, guiding the development of material choices for high-quality LEDs with improved efficiency. Collaboratively, our expertise in surface passivation and AI-enhanced functional imaging can foster future collaborations between academia and potential industry, driving innovation in sustainable LED technology”, explains Yue Zhao.
About the team
Yue Zhao is a PhD student in Solid State Physics with expertise in surface passivation of GaInP nanowires.
Qi Shi is a postdoc researcher in Chemical Physics with expertise in AI-enhanced functional imaging.
With Yue’s extensive experience in GaInP nanowire construction and passivation (at Lund Nano Lab), and Qi’s expertise in IM2PM experimental facilities (at the Department of Chemical Physics) and computational resources (Lund University Centre for Scientific and Technical Computing, LUNARC), the team is ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of light and materials.
Inspired by the call for Light and Material Young Investigator Synergy Award, associate senior lecturer Kim Cuong Le at Combustion Physics and postdoc Calle Preger at MAX IV, have joined forces to build an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma reactor for gas phase synthesized graphene (GSG). Leveraging Lund’s advanced light sources, the project holds promise for sustainable technology, driven by GSG’s potential in energy storage and sensing devices.
This project aims to build an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma reactor for producing GSG. After that, advanced laser and X-ray diagnostics will be employed to characterize GSG formation and properties.
“The concept and enthusiasm for GSG emerged a few years ago. However, due to a shift in research focus and a lack of initial results, securing funding became challenging. Recently, following the successful outcomes of our inaugural in-flight aerosol beamtime at MAX IV, and inspired by the Light and Material synergy calls, we found renewed motivation,” says Cuong Le. “We are now committed to integrate x-ray and laser-based diagnostic techniques to explore the properties of gas phase synthesized graphene (GSG) in a more comprehensive manner.”
The project aims to advance technology for producing graphene powder, particularly the GSG variant, with reduced environmental impact in response to the escalating demand in both research and industry. It also leverages utilization of advanced light sources in Lund for in-depth studies of these produced materials, including in-flight characterization at MAX IV. “We are uniquely positioned with exceptionally favorable conditions, boasting world-class online detection methods and an unparalleled array of combustion and aerosol platforms to propel our research in this direction,” says Calle Preger.
Carbon nanoparticles extracted from a flame to the aerosol sample delivery system. Photo by: Kim Cuong Le.
Cuong Le and Calle Preger believes that the proposed atmospheric plasma synthesis method for graphene holds great promise as a continuous, scalable, and cost-effective technique for producing high-quality few-layer graphene. Notably, this approach eliminates the need for substrates, catalysts, solvents, or acids, making it an environmentally friendly process. The potential of graphene as a highly sustainable material stands out, offering significant opportunities to enhance the sustainability of various industries.
The escalating demand for graphene powder, driven by its excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical stability, underscores its importance. Looking ahead, GSG holds vast potential for diverse applications, particularly in sustainable energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and Li-batteries. Additionally, GSG can play a pivotal role in the development of innovative sensing devices for applications, including food packaging and human health monitoring.
To advance these applications, we are committed to fostering collaborations with external experts in relevant fields, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to harnessing the full potential of GSG.
The team:
Kim Cuong Le is an associate senior lecturer at the Division of Combustion Physics. She specializes in developing and advancing laser-based diagnostics, with a primary focus on unravelling the mysteries of black carbon stemming from incomplete combustion processes.
Calle Preger, a postdoctoral researcher stationed at the FinEstBeAMS beamline at MAX IV , with a PhD background in material science and engineered nanoparticle synthesis. Calle’s research is centred around in-flight surface chemistry analysis of aerosol particles using electron spectroscopy, and new development of novel aerosol characterization methods using x-rays. He was the key person in the development of the new aerosol sample delivery system at MAX IV that is poised to play a pivotal role in this project.
A novel light-based approach to identify and monitor insects using photonics-based sensors can assist in offering a solution to bridge existing gaps in insect surveillance and address the unfolding biodiversity crises
Meng Li is a PhD student at Combustion Physics and member of Light and Materials working in Mikkel Brydegaard’s group . Her research driven by the pressing issue of global insect population decline and aims to overcome limitations in traditional monitoring methods. In a recent study, published in Advanced Science, Li, Brydegaard and colleagues have investigated the use of wing characteristics, such as wing interference signals (WISs) and wing surface roughness, to enhance the accuracy of remotely identifying insects through photonics-based measurements. In contrast to traditional methods, WIS is a non-invasive alternative that offers improved accuracy, especially in large-scale ecological studies for insect population surveillance and biodiversity understanding.
The most crucial discovery from this study is the effectiveness of WISs, particularly in identifying hoverflies, demonstrating the significant potential of photonics-based sensors for species and sex identification in insects. The practical implications of these results provide a novel method for accurately monitoring insect biodiversity and population trends, essential for maintaining ecological balance.
From a public perspective, the study introduces advanced tools for monitoring and understanding insect biodiversity, emphasizing the critical role insects play in ecological balance. The research supports effective conservation strategies and raises awareness about the importance of protecting insects.
A surprising aspect of the results, says Meng Li, is the substantial increase in identification accuracy when incorporating wing features from WISs into the analysis. This unexpected finding highlights the untapped potential of WISs in species identification.
In conclusion, Meng Li’s and her colleagues’ study establishes that photonics-based sensors analysing WISs offer a revolutionary, non-destructive method for precisely identifying insect species. enhancing large-scale ecological monitoring and biodiversity conservation.
In the 2023 Young Investigator Synergy Award call we received seven project applications.
The projects were evaluated against the criteria of the Light and Materials Young Investigator Synergy Award call by an evaluation panel consisting of Stacey Sörensen (chair), Adam Burke, Jens Uhlig and Zhongshan Li. After the initial evaluation and a discussion meeting, the evaluation panel recommended five projects for funding. Light and Materials management* decided to follow the recommendation of the evaluation committee and fund five projects with 200 kSEK each. T
Light and Materials management wish to thank the members of the evaluation group for your engagement and valuable work, and to congratulate all awardees!
* For this decision the management group consisted of co-directors Christelle Prinz and Per Eng-Johnsson. Coordinator Tönu Pullerits declared conflict of interest and did not participate in the decision.
In the call for Young Investigator Synergy Award seven project proposals were received. Six of the proposals has two applicants and one had three. Of the 15 applicants 10 are female and 5 are men. Eight applicants are PhD students and six are postdoc. One applicant is associate senior lecturer. The applicants come from Physics, Chemistry and MAX IV.
Evaluation of the proposals is ongoing. An evaluation committee of experts with experience from both light and material will report to the Light & Materials management by the end of the month. The result will be made and communicated before Christmas. We expect to fund four or five projects.
WISE (Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability) has opened two calls for the development of graduate courses and summer schools in 2024 with relevance to materials science for sustainability.
The call for WISE Summer School 2024 aims to support the organisation of a one-week summer school. The summer school must be able to accommodate a minimum of 50 WISE graduate school members (PhD students/postdocs).
The aim of the course development call is to make high-quality PhD topical courses with substantial sustainability content easily available for all PhD students within WISE.
Faculty employed at the six partner universities can apply. There is no university-level pre-screening, the application is done directly via the portals on the WISE website. The call for summer school proposals closes on 20 December 2023, while the call for the development of individual courses closes on 10 January 2024.
If you have any questions about these calls, don’t hesitate to contact the Lund University WISE representatives Kimberly Dick Thelander and Anders Mikkelsen.
Welcome to a Joint LLC Seminar on the 26th of October, at 15.15 in Rydbergsalen.
Nönne Prisle from the Center for Atmospheric Research at University of Oulu, and Lise Meitner guest professor at LTH, will tell us about “What X-rays can tell us about the climate effects of clouds”.
“Fika” will be served before the meeting, from 15:00.
a Joint LLC Seminar on the 26th of October, at 15.15 in Rydbergsalen.
Nönne Prisle from the Center for Atmospheric Research at University of Oulu, and Lise Meitner guest professor at LTH, will tell us about “What X-rays can tell us about the climate effects of clouds”.
“Fika” will be served before the meeting, from 15:00.
At the Light & Materials Synergy Day in October 2023 more than 80 research posters took part in the poster session. Among these posters, three poster presenters were awarded the Light & Materials Synergy Day Poster Award for posters having a nice visual presentation, being easy to understand and follow while having high quality of the scientific content.
Congratulations to the awardees:
Mattias Ammitzböll for the poster Measuring the quantum state of a photoelectron
Meena Raveesh for the poster Interferometric Quantum Control (IQC) by fs/ns Rotational Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy
Rubina Davtyan for the poster Lightguiding nanowires for single molecule detection with TIRF-level sensitivity
We also wish to thank the poster award evaluation committee for your engagement in the evaluation of the posters!
The poster awardees receive their prizes from representatives from the poster evaluation committee. From the left: Iseult Lynch, Rubina Davtyan, Meena Ramesh, Chris Palmström, Mattias Ammitzböll and Martin Wolf.
10 October 2023 the Light and Materials Synergy day was held with over 250 participants. The organising committee consisting of Christelle Prinz, Francesca Curbis, Joakim Bood and Tönu Pullerits had put together an exciting program on the theme Light Meets Materials. The program included updates from the research environments within the profile area, plenary talks and poster pitches. During the afternoon parallel sessions invited speakers presented engaging talks on the topics of Medicine & Light, Energy, Climate & Environment and Quantum Physics & Technology. More than 80 posters were presented from all areas within Light & Materials.
Comments