Development of a Cryogenic Spectroscopic Ellipsometer for Materials Research and Education

该奖项来自主要研究仪器计划，支持仪器开发的光谱椭偏仪能够在低温和高温（5-700 K）下在宽频率范围（400- 45，000 cm-1）内精确测量复杂材料的光学常数。椭圆偏振仪提供的新光谱能力对于进行与氧化物中强电子相关物理、半导体中的铁磁性和许多其他问题有关的困难实验至关重要。椭圆偏振法的主要优点是，这种技术消除或最大限度地减少了与使用更传统的光谱方法（如透射或反射测量）确定光学常数有关的实验模糊性。然而，在光谱的红外IR部分中实际实现这些优点需要开发原始设置，因为具有所需规格的仪器在商业上不可用。拟议的仪器将实现广泛的光谱覆盖范围，通过具有成本效益的合并红外自制椭偏仪的基础上傅立叶变换干涉仪与标准的旋转分析仪装置可见近紫外操作。该项目整合了研究和教育，从而帮助培养具有学术界和工业界高度需求的专业知识的高技能人才。对新材料光学特性的系统研究可以提供对电子结构的独特见解，包括载体和晶格动力学，这是很难或不可能通过替代实验方法获得的。主要研究仪器计划的这一奖项支持光谱椭偏仪的开发，该椭偏仪能够在低温和高温下在广泛的频率范围内精确测量复杂材料的光学常数。该仪器提供的新实验能力将有助于解决当代凝聚态物理和材料科学中一些长期存在的问题。该发展计划自然将研究和教育结合起来，从而有助于培养具有学术界和工业界高度需求的专业知识的高技能人才。在该项目过程中开发的研究基础设施将使几个机构的大批研究人员受益。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation program supports instrument development of a spectroscopic ellipsometer capable of precision measurements of the optical constants of complex materials in a broad range of frequencies (400-45,000 cm-1) both at cryogenic and elevated temperatures (5-700 K). New spectroscopic capabilities provided by the ellipsometer are essential to carry out difficult experiments pertinent to physics of strong electronic correlations in oxides, to ferromagnetism in semiconductors and many other problems. The principal advantage of ellipsometry is that this technique eliminates or minimizes experimental ambiguities connected with the determination of the optical constants using more conventional spectroscopic methods such as transmission or reflectance measurements. However, practical realization of theses advantages in the infrared IR part of the spectrum requires development of an original set-up since instruments with the needed specifications are not commercially available. Broad spectral coverage of the proposed instrument will be achieved through a cost-efficient merger of an infrared home-build ellipsometer based on a Fourier-Transform interferometer with a standard rotating analyzer apparatus for visible-near-UV operation. The project integrates research and education thus aiding towards preparation of highly skilled personnel with expertise that is in high demand both in academia and industry.The systematic studies of the optical properties of new materials can provide unique insights into the electronic structure, both carrier and lattice dynamics that is difficult or impossible to obtain through alternative experimental approaches. This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program supports the development of a spectroscopic ellipsometer capable of precision measurements of the optical constants of complex materials in a broad range of frequencies both at cryogenic and elevated temperatures. Novel experimental capabilities provided by this instrument will facilitate resolution of some of the long-standing issues in contemporary condensed matter physics and materials science. The development program naturally integrates research and education thus aiding towards preparation of highly skilled personnel with expertise that is in high demand both in academia and industry. Research infrastructure developed in the course of this project will benefit a large group of investigators at several institutions.