Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Our research program is dedicated to instrumentation design and characterization, mostly related to micro-analytical and micro-photonic system development. We have specialized in waveguide optic sensors and probes for fluorescence, absorption, refractive index, (photo-)acoustics and motion (strain, vibration). Our expertise lies in quantitative optical measurements of analyte concentrations in very small samples - ranging from uL to pL.An optical microscope is an essential tool in any micro-analytical and micro-photonic lab and has been lacking from our lab for many years. We require a microscope to inspect the devices we make, to characterize optical coatings, validate the function of MEMS devices and align micro-photonic equipment. Especially, the lack of quantitative spatial information, such as thickness and roughness of thin films, has been restricting our research progress - including our ability to advance collaborative research with industrial partners.The proposed 3D microscope and optical profiler will overcome all of these limitations. The proposed optical microscope is equipped with an interferometer to quantify the vertical dimension and thereby allows measurements of surface morphology (roughness, inhomogeneity), as well as film and coating thicknesses, in addition to conventional natural colour microscope imagery. Not only will this instrument propel our fundamental/academic and collaborative/applied research but it will also be fantastic tool for graduate and undergraduate students' training. Given our considerable expertise in optics, imaging and photonics the proposed training program in optical interferometry and 3D image analysis will be much more comprehensive compared to training that students typically obtain.