Photoluminescence

Photoluminescence spectroscopy is an important non-contact, non-invasive technique for material characterization. Photoluminescence refers to the emission of photons by a sample after it has been irradiated.
The emission can occur instantaneously, as in fluorescence (with a response time of less than 10 ns), or over a longer period, as in phosphorescence, depending on the electronic states involved in the process. The intensity and type of photoluminescence depend on the material and the wavelength used for analysis.
Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy allows the study of radiative and non-radiative recombination processes. This analysis provides valuable information about the electronic recombination process, energy gap, impurity levels, molecular structure, and crystallinity. Therefore, photoluminescence is a powerful technique for studying semiconductors, photovoltaic materials, and materials for micro- and optoelectronic devices.

Our instrumentation

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FLS980 spectrofluorimeter Edinburgh Instruments

The FLS980 spectrofluorimeter is an instrument for time-resolved UV-Vis luminescence spectroscopy operating in Time Correlated Single Photon Counting technique for emission and excitation spectra from 200 to 700 nm and time resolution up to 700 ps.
Technical specifications:
● excitation sources/set-up: EPLEDs (Pulsed Light Emitting Diodes) at 260 nm, 350 nm, 405 nm, 510 nm, nsec hydrogen lamp and pulsed X-tube;
● detectors / detection set-up: high-sensitivity cooled PMT UV-Vis detector, double monochromator;
● acquisition electronics for time-resolved measurements: Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS) and Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC).
Available configurations:
● sample holders for powder, solid and liquid measurements.
Applications:
● study of materials for photonics and optoelectronics;
● study of scintillating materials.

Fluorolog 3.21 spectrofluorimeter Jobin Yvon

The Fluorolog 3.21 spectrofluorimeter is a versatile instrument that allows UV-Vis foluminescence measurements at both room temperature and low temperatures thanks to its closed cycle cryostat.
Technical specifications:
● excitation set up: Xenon lamp, spectral range: 250 nm to 650 nm, monochromator with double holographic grating (1200 lines/mm), slit width 10 mm to 7 mm;
● detection set up: photomultiplier detector (Hamamatsu R928P), monochromator with single holographic grating (1200 lines/mm), slit width 10 mm ÷ 7 mm.
Available configurations:
● cryostat for measurements down to 12K.
Applications:
● characterisation of materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices and defect identification.

 

Time-resolved photoluminescence system with nanowire detector

Time-resolved photoluminescence and polarisation system in the short-wavelength IR spectral region coupled to a superconducting nanowire detector characterised by high quantum efficiency, low jitter, low noise and short dead time. The detector consists of eight nanowires in a single cryogenic system, integrated in an automated closed-loop cryostat which ensures high performance across the 800-2000 nm spectral range.
Technical specifications:
● system detection efficiency at 1550 nm ≥ 80;
● system detection efficiency at 780 nm ≥ 80;
● timing jitter ≤ 50 ps.
Available configurations:
● coupling with a spectrograph.
Applications:
● study of quantum structures of semiconductors;
● characterisation of materials for energy, micro and optoelectronics;
● quantum optics measurements.

Contact us

If you believe these techniques could be useful for characterizing, updating, or designing your materials, please feel free to contact us.