Monash opens cathodoluminescence characterisation facility

Professor Albert Polman officially opened Monash University’s Advanced Cathodoluminescence Characterisation Facility on 4 February. Prof Polman, from FOM Institute AMOLF,  is the inventor of angle-resolved cathodoluminescence and one of the pioneers of the field of nanophotonics — the control, understanding and application of light at the nanoscale.

The facility was made possible through Australian Research Council (ARC) funding, which additionally enabled the university to commission a highly specialised analytical system from DELMIC. The device is based on a SPARC advanced cathodoluminescence system and provides Monash with a tool for researching important classes of new functional materials such as minerals, advanced pharmaceuticals and new electronic materials.

“We are already getting exciting results using the DELMIC SPARC cathodoluminescence system on solar cell materials, plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor nanowires,” said MCEM Cathodoluminescence and Focused Ion Beam Manager Dr Amelia Liu.

As a standard system, the DELMIC SPARC performs angle-resolved and hyperspectral cathodoluminescence mapping allowing the imaging of optical modes and light emission at the nanoscale. This capability enables researchers to obtain new fundamental information about the physics of optically active nanoscale devices.

Monash University has customised the system, equipping it for fast, filtered and monochromated imaging modes with two additional photomultiplier tubes. The MCEM and DELMIC are working together to increase the capabilities of the instrument and software, and to multiply the number of applications of the system.

“The system provides vital information about a range of materials that we could not obtain any other way,” said MCEM Director Professor Joanne Etheridge. “We have particularly enjoyed the collaboration with the expert team at DELMIC, which has enabled us to tailor this system to meet the specific and challenging needs of our research community.”

The opening of the facility saw Monash University, in conjunction with DELMIC and DELMIC’s Australian distributor, AXT, organise an advanced cathodoluminscence workshop and facility tour. Professor Polman delivered a keynote address, with other lectures given by CSIRO’s Dr Colin Macrae and UTS’s Professor Matthew Phillips, as well as DELMIC’s Dr Toon Coenen, a co-developer of the SPARC system.

Image caption: Angle-resolved cathodoluminescence inventor Professor Albert Polman and DELMIC CEO Dr Sander den Hoedt open the Monash facility.