The purpose of this research is to increase the impact and scope of nanoscale materials research at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). This new instrument, when integrated with existing millimeter wave and ultrafast optical capabilities, will form a powerful tool capable of performing correlated measurements of chemical composition, crystalline structure, carrier dynamics, carrier densities and carrier mobilities with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. The proposed system will employ probes from the visible to terahertz regions of the spectrum to characterize materials across broad temporal (femtosecond to second) and spatial (nanometer to centimeter) scales. The system will initially be used in the following areas: (1) Effects of compositional inhomogeneity, grain boundaries and ion migration on carrier dynamics in doped hybrid organic – inorganic perovskites; (2) Charge and energy transfer nanostructure heterojunctions; (3) CdSxSe1-x nanoribbons; and, (4) Hybrid organic semiconductor – inorganic nanostructure systems.
The high spatial resolution combined with the broad spectral range offered by this instrument represent a significant upgrade to NCCU’s ability to perform competitive research and to provide students with productive research experiences. This instrument provides a rare set of capabilities that will allow NCCU to develop new areas of nanoscience research and strengthen existing research collaborations. The requested system will also significantly impact NCCU’s STEM education and training missions by offering undergraduate, graduate and high school students hands-on opportunities with cutting edge instrumentation and scientific concepts.