New publication on Au antenna photoluminescence by T. Fröhlich et al.

We used a confocal laser microscope to investigate the one-photon photoluminescence (PL) of gold antennas. The PL spectra can precisely be fitted to a plasmon enhanced photoluminescence model. For increasing antenna length, the energy peak position decreases continuously until it reaches a value of 1.7 – 1.8 eV. For longer antennas and smaller plasmon energies, we observe an additional, persistent shoulder in the PL spectra, which we explain by a Gaussian-shaped peak at ~1.78 – 1.79 eV. We attribute this behavior to the opening of an additional decay path for electrons at the gold interband transition edge which we observe only for long antennas.

Fig1

(a) Schematics of the PL measurements. (b) PL spectrum and its Lorentzian fit as an example. Here, the power P of the incident laser was 500 mW. (c) SEM image of the corresponding gold antenna whose geometrical values (length aSEM and width bSEM) are determined as indicated by the yellow lines.

Additional peak appearing in the one-photon luminescence of single gold nanorods
Toni Froehlich, Christian Schönenberger, and Michel Calame
Optics Letters 41(7) 1325-1328 (2016)

 

From Solid State to Biophysics, Cavtat (Croatia), June 4-11, 2016

From June 4th to 11th, the conference “From Solid State to Biophysics VII: From Basic to Life Sciences” will take place in Cavtat, near Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Here is what the organizers say about it:

The conference provides a forum for all those who have experienced the exciting passage from solid state to biophysics, and/or are keenly aware of the underlying unity of basic and life sciences. The conference topics are open ended and we invite colleagues from biology who are seeking a better contact with physicists and all scientists who want to have a fresh outlook on emerging bio- themes. Especially we feel a close relation with specialists in nanoscience, both in physics and chemistry, whose expertise is at the length-scale of biological structures. New techniques, new approaches to living matter are also the subject of the conference.

 

 

 

OPEN POSITIONS (PhD) [filled]

We currently have openings for PhD positions* on the topic of ionic detection for sensing and computing using ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs). The positions are within the National Competence Center in Research (NCCR) Molecular Systems Engineering and in a new European Commission FET Open project RECORD IT.

Interested candidates can send a CV together with a motivation letter and references to michel.calame(a)unibas.ch.

*Positions are for a duration of typically 3-4 years and paid according to SNSF rates.

E-MRS Spring meeting, Lille (France), May 2-6, 2016

E-MRS Spring meeting in Lille. We will present our work on

  • CVD graphene, Symposium Y (Graphene and related materials: from fundamental science to applications)
  • Au nanoparticle arrays, Symposium J (Established and emerging nanocolloids: from synthesis & characterization to applications II) 
  • Silicon nanoribbons biochemical sensors, Symposium O (Group IV semiconductors at the nanoscale – applications towards photonics, electronics and life sciences.)

 

SNI Winterschool “Nanoscience in the Snow”, Zinal, Jan. 27-29, 2016

On January 27th, 2016, more than 30 PhD students from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) will gather in Zinal, Vallis at the Hotel Europe for our annual Winter School Nanoscience in the Snow. We look forward to exciting presentations and posters on a wide range of nanoscience-related topics, including electron nano-crystallography, graphene nanoribbons, nano-catalysts and thermoelectric effects at the nanoscale.