Ultra-high-resolution Optical Spectroscopy of rare earth doped Nanocrystals – UltraNanOSpec

UltraNanOSpec aims at establishing ultra-high-resolution optical spectroscopy (UROS) as an innovative tool to detect extremely low levels of defects in Rare Earth (RE) doped nanocrystals. We expect this research to guide advanced optimization of these materials for a broad range of applications, from phosphors to quantum technologies through bio-imaging and thermal sensing. Moreover, since REs can be doped in small amounts in many crystals, defect probing could be extended to nano-materials designed for non-RE based applications like catalysis or micro-electronics. Our objectives are: 1) to produce oxide and fluoride nanocrystals with controlled defects, and establish quantitative relations with optical linewidths; 2) to investigate synthesis methods and post-processing treatments to further decrease defects and assess the impact on applications related properties; 3) to explore advanced techniques like single particle UROS to further develop understanding of defects in nanocrystals.