Contacts: Diane Greenberg, (631) 344-2347 or Peter Genzer, (631) 344-3174
Zhu said, “The nanoprobe enables researchers to simultaneously measure a material’s structural behavior under various stimuli, including electric, optical, and mechanical ones, and to evaluate its functionality and performance. Here, simultaneously is the key. For example, if we want to improve the efficiency of a solar cell to harness energy for the sun, we need to shine a light on the device and measure the electric current it generates at same time, while observing the response of electronic structure and atomic arrangement at specific sites of interest. This capability is unprecedented and is a big improvement over sequentially determining these qualities.”
The nanoprobe can be used in a wide variety of experiments to help scientists understand how optical, electrical, mechanical, and structural properties of functional materials and devices are intertwined. This information is vital to making improvements in optoelectronic systems, such as fiber optic communications, laser systems, remote sensing systems, medical diagnostic systems, and optical information systems. It is an important tool in photovoltaics research to reveal site-specific optoelectronic properties of materials and devices. In other applications, the nanoprobe can help to determine strain effects on various properties of nanostructured materials, such as quantum dots, nanowires, and graphene sheets. The nanoprobe tip can be pressed on the point of interest in a sample to investigate the local stress response and strain distribution.
Brookhaven Lab designed and built the laser system and holder for the nanoprobe. Also, Brookhaven funded the construction of the device’s holder by Nanofactory Instruments, AB. In addition to Zhu, members of the Brookhaven team included Mirko Milas and Jonathan Rameau, both postdoctoral fellows; and Matt Sfeir, an assistant scientist. Brookhaven Science Associates, the company that manages Brookhaven Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy, has applied for a patent on the device. R&D Magazine chose the nanoprobe as one of the top 100 technological achievements of the year in 2011.
Number: 11-1327
| BNL Media & Communications Office