Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We propose to upgrade our laboratory X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence (XEOL) system in the department of Chemistry at Western University into a state-of-the-art infrastructure featuring full-wavelength spectral acquisition from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR), with angle-resolved and in situ/operando capabilities. XEOL refers to tracking how light emitting materials converts the X-ray it absorbs into optical photons. The upgrade will be performed upon an existing, operational ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) chamber equipped with a twin-anode X-ray tube (currently out of service), a sample transfer system, a 4-axis 360o rotatable sample manipulator with heating and cooling function, leak values for gas environment control, and an optical spectrometer. We will acquire funds to replace the 30-years-old X-ray tube, to upgrade the existing spectrometer to extend its detection capability into the NIR region, and to implement another CCD spectrometer with optical fiber to allow XEOL detected simultaneously at both side of the X-ray source at approximately 90o apart. This system will provide the necessary routine characterization capability on light-emitting samples synthesized at Dr Sham's and Dr Liu's groups, particularly addressing the increasing need for understanding the luminescent mechanism of NIR-emitting biomaterials and highly-oriented semiconducting thin films with anisotropic luminescence properties. The system will also provide exciting opportunities for researchers at Western's SWC (Soochow-Western Centre for Synchrotron Radiation Research) and CAMBR (Centre for Advanced Materials and Biomaterials Research) to investigate X-ray induced optical luminescence with angle resolved and in situ/operando capabilities. It will also complement the advancement of the XEOL techniques we have been developing at the Canadian Light Source where a tunable X-ray is used as the excitation source. This system will also allow our students to pre-screen a large number of samples prior to traveling to the synchrotron, so that the precious synchrotron time can be used more effectively. The applicants' team includes researchers who have active research programs on optical properties of nanomaterials in optoelectronics and biomedical research, such as morphology and phase dependent luminescent from semiconductor metal oxides, lead halide perovskite nanocrystals, doped calcium phosphate, and more recently, biocompatible nanomaterials with NIR persistent luminescence.