Near-Field Optical Spectroscopic Studies of Thin Film Materials

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This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, focusses on the lateral structural characterization of organic and inorganic layers in the nanometer length domain. During the tenure of this three- year continuing grant, Professor Buratto and his students at the University of California - Santa Barbara will utilize near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) in conjunction with established spectroscopic techniques to probe the local structure and dynamics of thin-film optical and opto-electronic materials with nanometer resolution and single molecule sensitivity. Component clustering, conformational analysis, molecular ordering, and environment fluctuations of self-assembled monolayer and multilayer films, conducting and semiconducting polymer films, and inorganic semiconductor quantum structures will be examined. Charge carrier transport, diffusion, and trapping in these systems will also be characterized. These studies should provide useful insights into the role of localized chemistry and physics in the performance of these materials. Also during this grant period, Professor Buratto will pursue an educational development plan that includes the broad introduction of laser spectroscopy in undergraduate physical and analytical chemistry courses, and the development of new courses in nonlinear optics and microscopy for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. The ability to characterize optical and opto-electronic materials in the nanoscale regime is essential to understanding the structure-performance relationships of these technologically important systems. Through application of near-field scanning optical microscopy and other complementary optical spectroscopic techniques, this CAREER research project will lead to a fundamental understanding of the local chemistry and physics of these thin-film organic and inorganic materials, as well as insights into relationships between local ord er/disorder and materials performance. The educational development aspects of this CAREER project will enrich the physical and analytical chemistry curriculum available to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of California - Santa Barbara.