CAREER: Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Rare-Earth-Activated One-Dimensional Luminescent Nanostructures

技术支持：该CAREER奖的研究目标是合成和研究一类新型的稀土激活一维发光纳米材料，并通过控制合成来调节其光学性质。虽然以前对一维纳米结构的研究主要集中在元素和二元材料系统上，但最近的研究表明，将诸如稀土离子等其他组分掺入一维纳米结构中，形成具有新组成，新晶体结构和新发光特性和机制的发光纳米带。为了最大限度地利用这些新的发光纳米带作为纳米光子学中的构建块的潜力，对合成条件、材料性质和光学性质之间的相互关系的基本理解是必不可少的。本研究计划：1）通过研究发光纳米带的生长参数，系统地研究发光纳米带的生长行为; 2）利用电子显微镜和同步辐射x射线显微分析技术等先进的分析工具，对发光纳米材料的形貌、成分和结构进行表征; 3）利用宽激发源研究发光纳米材料的光学性质（包括紫外光、X射线束和电子束），并探索它们在纳米光子学中的应用。非技术性：该项目涉及与高技术相关的材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题。该项目的成功预计将对纳米光子学以及一般纳米科学和纳米技术的进一步发展产生影响。该项目的研究和教育活动是一体化的。教育活动包括：1）将研究主题纳入讲座和实验室课程，使学生积极参与科学过程，2）通过发展实验和分析技能，在会议和研讨会上发表演讲，以及撰写研究文章，培训和充实参与拟议研究的研究生和本科生，3）通过校园计划增加少数民族本科生和K-12学生对科学和工程的参与，以及4）通过在校园，当地学校和画廊举办NanoArt展览，提高公众对纳米技术的认识。

Technical: The research objective of this CAREER award is to synthesize and investigate a new class of novel, rare-earth-activated, one-dimensional luminescent nanomaterials and to tune their optical properties through controlled synthesis. While previous research on one-dimensional nanostructures has focused mainly on elemental and binary materials systems, recent studies have demonstrated incorporation of additional components such as rare-earth ions into one-dimensional nanostructures, forming luminescent nanobelts that exhibit new compositions, new crystal structures, and new luminescence properties and mechanisms. To maximize the potential of using these new luminescent nanobelts as building blocks in nanophotonics, fundamental understanding of the interrelationships between synthesis conditions, materials properties, and optical properties is essential. This project 1) systematically investigates the luminescent nanobelts growth behaviors by studying the growth parameters, 2) performs morphological, compositional, and structural characterizations of the nanomaterials using a wide range of advanced analytical tools including electron microscopes and synchrotron x-ray microanalysis techniques, and 3) studies the optical properties of the luminescent nanomaterials using a broad excitation sources (including UV light, x-ray beam and electron beam) and explores their applications in nanophotonics.Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science with high technological relevance. The success of the project is expected to have impacts on the further advancement of nanophotonics and, in general, nanoscience and nanotechnology. The research and education activities of the project are integrated. The education activities include 1) incorporation of research themes into lecture and laboratory classes to engage students as active participants in the scientific process, 2) training and enrichment of graduate and undergraduate students participating in the proposed research by development of experimental and analytical skills, presentations at conferences and seminars, and authorship of research articles, 3) increase of minority undergraduate and K-12 students participation in science and engineering through the programs on campus, and 4) increase of general public awareness on nanotechnology by holding NanoArt shows on campus, local schools, and galleries.