Automatically tunable light source for the mid-infrared spectral range

• Subject Area: Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 566186014

Modern infrared spectroscopy and microscopy make it possible to carry out experiments at the interface between chemistry and nanophysics. The activities described here are also of central importance for the current Collaborative Research Center on ultrafast spin dynamics and the planned Cluster of Excellence (EXC “Center for Chiral Electronics”). The new light source will enable the near-field microscopic investigation of chiral antiferromagnets. In addition, macromolecular systems on a length scale of 10 to 20 nm are to be investigated with the proposed device in cooperation with the chemistry department. Chemical bonds will be switched by optical, thermal or mechanical stimuli and this behavior will be demonstrated and monitored using local vibrational spectroscopy. An automatically tunable and compact light source for the mid-infrared spectral range (3 - 12 μm) is to be procured. This light source is to be used primarily for infrared spectroscopy and microscopy. An existing near-field microscope (scattering SNOM) will be used for this purpose. The head of the near-field microscope will also be replaced to enable the new measurement mode and the software will be extended accordingly. The expected spatial resolution is in the range of around 10-20 nm.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Automatisch durchstimmbare Lichtquelle für den mittelinfraroten Spektralbereich
• Instrumentation Group: 5600 Spektrallichtquellen
• Applicant Institution: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Georg Woltersdorf