MRI-RUI: Acquisition of a Micro-Raman-Photoluminescence Instrument for Materials-Related Research and Education

摘要显微拉曼光谱是一种不可或缺的研究工具，用于不透明材料的多组分分析，超临界条件下的水溶液中的定量形态分析，局部机械应力分析和小样品域的光谱成像。光致发光（PL）光谱对于半导体中的带隙测定和材料中的杂质水平、光学活性中心和点缺陷的分析是非常宝贵的，而微PL对于小光学活性域的分辨率是不可或缺的。在密苏里州州立大学收购一个组合的显微拉曼和微PL系统将显着提高教师和学生在几个材料相关领域的科学表现，包括生物材料和生物器件，混合生物分子/无机纳米材料，光电子和磁电子学，以及极端环境下的材料。微拉曼光致发光系统将用于调查密苏里州州立大学的以下研究领域：1）用于能量应用的水流体中的纳米材料和溶质到超临界条件，2）用于光伏和发光二极管应用的透明导电氧化物的光电性质，3）附着于纳米材料的核酸和蛋白质之间的生物分子相互作用，4）WO 3纳米和微晶的晶格结构和水合物形式，5）碳纳米管和石墨烯的结构性质，6）生物分子-Co/Au-纳米颗粒相互作用，7）金属氧化物纳米颗粒（MONP）-生物分子混合系统的功能表面改性，以及8）多铁性薄膜中的铁电畴动力学。显微拉曼光致发光系统还将大大有助于推广和教育计划，扩大密苏里州州立大学科学部门之间的跨学科合作，并加强与其他机构和高科技行业的合作。材料相关技术的进步，如能源应用、纳米技术、光子学、电子学、生物技术、运输、以及用于药物输送系统和医学诊断，取决于对相关材料的键合、振动、结构和其它物理化学性质的基本理解。通过与原子水平的光的相互作用，拉曼光谱提供了关于给定材料的振动特性的极有价值的信息，这些振动特性与成键和结构特性直接相关。类似地，通过光的刺激，PL光谱能够提供关于半导体中的巡回电子与束缚电子和杂质的能量学以及材料中的点缺陷和活性中心的光学性质的信息。本提案中要求的最先进的显微拉曼-PL仪器将提供一种非常有价值的新研究和教学工具，以补充密苏里州州立大学用于调查各种材料的现有设施和表征工具。利用具有拉曼或PL的激光微束探针将提供材料中的光学活性微区、微晶和铁电畴的高分辨率成像。通过本提案中概述的研究项目工作，为学生提供了关于显微拉曼-PL仪器的宝贵培训，这将有助于他们未来在高科技行业和研究实验室的就业。显微拉曼光致发光系统将大大有助于推广和教育计划，针对K-12学生追求科学和工程事业。显微拉曼光致发光系统将有助于促进密苏里州州立大学内的教师和学生之间的合作，并加强与其他机构的合作。

AbstractMicro-Raman spectroscopy is an indispensible investigative tool for multicomponent analysis of non-transparent materials, quantitative speciation analysis in aqueous fluids to supercritical conditions, local mechanical stress analysis, and spectroscopic imaging of small sample domains. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is invaluable for band gap determination in semiconductors and analysis of impurity levels, optically active centers and point defects in materials, whereas micro-PL is indispensible for resolution of small optically active domains. The acquisition of a combined micro-Raman and micro-PL system at Missouri State University will significantly enhance the scientific performance of faculty and students in several materials-related areas, including biomaterials and biodevices, hybrid biomolecular/inorganic nanomaterials, opto- and magneto-electronics, and materials under extreme environments. The micro-Raman-PL system will be used to investigate the following areas of research at Missouri State University: 1) nanomaterials and solutes in aqueous fluids to supercritical conditions for energy applications, 2) the optoelectronic properties of transparent conducting oxides for photovoltaic and light emitting diode applications, 3) biomolecular interactions between nucleic acids and proteins attached to nanomaterials, 4) lattice structures and hydrate forms of WO3 nano- and micro-crystallites, 5) structural properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene, 6) biomolecule-Co/Au-nanoparticle interactions, 7) functional surface modification of metal oxide nanoparticle (MONP)-biomolecule hybrid systems, and 8) ferroelectric domain dynamics in multiferroic thin films. The micro-Raman-PL system will also contribute greatly toward outreach and educational programs, broaden interdisciplinary cooperation between science departments at Missouri State University, and enhance collaborations with other institutions and high-tech industry.Layman Summary: The advancement of materials-related technologies, such as for energy applications, nanotechnology, photonics, electronics, biotechnology, transportation, and for drug delivery systems and medical diagnostics, depends upon the fundamental understanding of the bonding, vibrational, structural, and other physico-chemical properties of the relevant materials. From interaction with light at the atomic level, Raman spectroscopy provides extremely valuable information about the vibrational properties, which are directly related to the bonding and structural properties, of a given material. Similarly, by stimulation from light, PL spectroscopy is able to provide information about the energetics of itinerant vs. bound electrons and impurities in semiconductors, and of the optical properties of point defects and active centers in materials. The state-of-the art micro-Raman-PL instrument requested in this proposal will provide an extremely valuable new research and teaching tool to complement an array of existing facilities and characterization tools utilized for investigation of a wide range of materials at Missouri State University. The utilization of a laser micro-beam probe with Raman or PL will provide for high-resolution imaging of optically active micro-regions, micro-crystallites, and ferroelectric domains in materials. The valuable training provided to students on the micro-Raman-PL instrument through work on research projects outlined in this proposal will be useful for their future employment in high-tech industry and research labs. The micro-Raman-PL system will contribute greatly toward outreach and educational programs targeting K-12 students for pursuit of careers in science and engineering. The micro-Raman-PL system will help stimulate collaboration among faculty and students within Missouri State University and enhance collaborations with other institutions.