Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

In the quest for understanding the physics of materials, Raman Spectroscopy is an outstanding technique probing phononic, electronic, and excitonic states in scientifically and technologically relevant materials. Because the functionalities and limitations of materials are defined by these states and their interactions, Resonant Raman spectroscopy (RRS) benches and Hyperspectral Raman Imagers (HRI) are among the most relevant and powerful research techniques. Unfortunately, our joint Advanced Raman Spectroscopy facility has suffered a double setback our RRS bench and HRI are non-operational due to the breakdown of their high power 532 nm lasers. This has compromised 1) the progress of 3 PDF/RA, 9 PhD and 4 MSc towards graduation and 2) the training plan of the newly-funded NSERC-CREATE "Integrated School in Advanced Materials". We are requesting the urgent repair of our Ti:S pump laser (532 nm laser) (RRS bench), and our high power 532 nm excitation laser (HRI). In addition, we are proposing to upgrade our RRS bench with 5 additional excitation wavelengths in the visible (405-660 nm). Currently both unavailable in Québec, these systems are used by 6 research groups and their students, making the case for this proposal compelling in terms of need, urgency and utilization. Our Raman facility will allow addressing outstanding opportunities for which we have strong scientific leads. A) RRS and HRI will be applied to the investigation of hyperbolic phonon-polaritons to enhance Raman signals by several orders of magnitude and break the selection rule of mutual exclusion to allow probing phonon-polaritons in centrosymmetric crystals. B) Ubiquitous even in perfected crystals, defects enable complex electron-phonon processes that remain poorly understood. Using engineered defects, RRS and HRI will allow mapping high-order resonant processes and developing a more accurate description of electron-phonon interactions. C) Their fast response, multiplexing capacity and ease of integration makes graphene-based FET exceptional biosensors. The HRI and RRS allow studying the functionalization of graphene surface with probe molecules tasked with recognizing target analytes such as DNA, proteins, pathogens, and biomarkers for cancer. The strong synergy between our 6 research groups, and between experiment and theory, is demonstrated by our 14 joint publications and 1728 joint citations on Raman spectroscopy alone. Our Advanced Raman Spectroscopy facility provides highly valued hands-on training and allow our students to address outstanding opportunities of very active and fast-paced fields: vdW crystals, physics of nanostructures, and biosensing applications. Finally, trainees acquire strong marketable skill sets in optics, cryogenics, vacuum techniques, spectroscopy, microscopy, computational methods, and material processing and characterization. These skill sets are highly sought by the photonic, nanotechnology, and computing industries in Canada.