Start-up Funding

Nonlinear optical properties of novel, synthetic 2D materials

The reproducible synthesis and fabrication of modern 2D materials (2DMs) requires a profound knowledge of their nanoscopic and mesoscopic physico-chemical properties as well as appropriate tools for their characterization. Nonlinear optical (NLO) effects, like second-harmonic (SHG) and third-harmonic generation (THG), or two photon absorption (TPA) and its induced fluorescence (TPPL), provide here the desired intricate and straight-forward insight into these material properties, such as information on the (local) material symmetry, strain, or electronic properties. Note that quantifying these parameters might become difficult when using linear optical methods, especially when complex spectral responses result. Hence, SHG, THG, TPA and TPPL play a key role in the characterization of traditional 2DMs. Even more, the characterization of the NLO properties provides a solid basis for modern optical application development ranging from quantum communi-cation to optical frequency conversion, that all make use of such NLO effects, including recent progress in traditional 2DMs. The goal of this project thus is to provide a set of fundamental NLO characterization tools that, when applied to the broad pallet of synthetic 2DMs, such as novel TMDs, ferecrystals, layered 2D topological insulators, 2D MOFs and COFs , will broaden the knowledge and under-standing significantly.

Principal investigator

Dr. Michael Rüsing

Further academic staff