Project description DEENESFRITPL Advanced microscopy technique opens a new window into the nanoworld The quantum processes that occur at the length scale of a few nanometres largely define the optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional materials. Elucidating nanoscale processes requires probing light-matter interactions at a resolution an order of magnitude greater than that achieved by existing nano-optical approaches. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AETSOM project plans to achieve optical resolution of a few nanometres by tapping into the potential of a technique researchers call atomic energy near-field scanning optical microscopy. The technique could enable researchers to perform photon-based material characterisation across different length scales on nearly any sample and in environments that are typically found in most technological applications. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Many of the defining optoelectronic properties in low-dimensional materials – e.g. exciton Bohr radii and diffusion lengths, defect sizes and spacings, and Moire lattice periods – are determined by materials physics and processes that occur at the single-digit nm length scale. Their direct investigation and elucidation – crucial for future applications – therefore requires the ability to probe light-matter interactions at a resolution an order of magnitude better than what is generally achievable with existing nano-optical approaches. Here we propose a strategy for achieving single-nm optical resolution by developing a breakthrough capability which we will refer to as Atomic Energy Transfer Scanning nano-Optical Microscopy (AETSOM). The one-nm optical resolution will be attained by the attachment of a lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) at the end of a near-field scanning probe tip. The intended probe is composed of a tapered metal-insulator-metal waveguide fabricated at the end of a glass fiber, enabling the efficient coupling of far-field light to the near-field and vice-versa through the probe tip, over a wide range of wavelengths. Lanthanide-doped UCNPs absorb multiple photons in the NIR and emit at higher energies in the NIR/visible with efficiencies orders of magnitude higher than those of the best 2-photon fluorophores. The robust attachment of the UCNPs to the probe through specific functionalization of the UCNPs will enable illumination/collection to/from single-digit nm volumes. The establishment of this breakthrough single-digit nano-optical capability will provide the ability to perform photon-based characterization and activation over multiple length scales on nearly any sample and in the real environments encountered in most technological applications. The anticipated results will immediately impact numerous fields, from quantum materials to photo-chemistry to energy harvesting to ultrasensitive biomolecular control and detection. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsoptoelectronicsnatural scienceschemical sciencesphysical chemistryphotochemistrynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons Keywords nano-optics nano-photoluminescence optoelectronics layered 2D materials quantum materials defects Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Net EU contribution € 269 998,08 Address EDMOND J SAFRA CAMPUS GIVAT RAM 91904 Jerusalem Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 269 998,08 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address AMSTERDAM AVENUE 1210 ROOM 10027 7003 New York See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 177 265,92
