Repair and upgrade of the UV-Vis-NIR fluorometer with intergrating sphere and time-resolved capability

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We seek funding to urgently repair and upgrade the UV-Vis-near-IR spectrofluorometer acquired in 2014 with a prior NSERC-RTI grant, to continue and complete our on-going studies of advanced optoelectronic materials and devices. The two key features of the proposal are: (i) replacement of the integrating sphere that enables measurements of absolute luminescence quantum yield of solid samples and (ii) upgrade with a time-resolved spectroscopy module which enable life-time measurements and time-gated spectroscopy in the very broad ( nsec msec) temporal range. These features, combined with (already existing) near-infrared detector will make this instrument unique not only at McGill but also in the region. The instrument will become a departmental facility, used extensively by research groups of co-applicants and other members of McGill chemistry and Quebec Center for Advanced Materials (current users base comprises 11 academic groups). It will continuously contribute to training of 20+ students each year.******The capabilities enabled by this requested repair and upgrade are critical for continuing the research progress in several fields of fundamental scientific importance. Specifically, the instrument will be used to develop: a new class of organic room temperature phosphors, luminescent covalent organic frameworks, photo-actuating and up-converting materials with a spectrum of useful applications in the existing technologies (sensors, bioimaging, and renewable energy (photovoltaics)) as well as the development of new ones (eg, organic injection lasers). These are the key areas of strength of the co-applicants and major users. The training enabled by the instrument will contribute prominently to generalization' of our HQP who will become comfortable in materials design and synthesis, spectroscopy/photophysics and device engineering. These are the skills in demand by Canadian industry, considering its historic strength in photonics.**