Nanoscience is the most diverse division in Physics at Strathclyde, reflecting the broad range of scientific areas in which nanotechnology (the exploitation of very small objects) is destined to make an impact upon our lives in the 21st century.
These fields include:
- Semiconductor device physics, following Moore’s law
- Biomolecular science
- Sensor development
- Computational biology
- Ocean science
- Gravitational wave detection
The Division has 13 academic members of staff (including 5 Professors), 8 research fellows, and some 20 PhD students.
The division has ~£7.3m in currently running research grants from EPSRC, SFC, PPARC, EU, NERC, STFC, Royal Society, and Leverhulme Trust.
Facilities include
- A Class 1000 cleanroom
- The Centre for Molecular Nanometrology established in 2005
- The Scanning Electron microscopy suite for analysis of hard and soft matter
- The Ultrafast Chemical Physics lab (2009, funded by the Faculty of Science, the University, and an S&I Award) houses state-of-the-art femtosecond laser systems for 2D-IR and terahertz spectroscopy
It comprises two main groupings of researchers, Biomolecular & Chemical Physics (BCP) and Semiconductor Spectroscopy & Devices (SSD).
Biomolecular & Chemical Physics (BCP)
The Photophysics subgroup of BCP undertakes interdisciplinary molecular research involving time-resolved fluorescence. Its members are playing a part in solving the complexities associated with biomolecules, skin, colloids and nanoparticles.
Chemical and biological reactions are the domain of the Ultrafast Dimensional Spectroscopy subgroup of BCP. Their challenge is to perform experiments over a range of timescales (femtosecond to nanosecond and slower) on structures from the nanoscopic (e.g. molecular bonds) to the mesoscopic (molecular clusters to droplets).
The Marine Optics and Remote Sensing subgroup concentrates on the application of optical techniques for remote sensing and monitoring of environmental variables. These techniques have an increasing role to play in areas such as environmental protection, pollution assessment, and the study of transient events in global ecosystems.
The BCP Theory group is focused on understanding molecular-level effects at different kinds of solvation interfaces using computer modeling.
Semiconductor Spectroscopy & Devices (SSD)
The Semiconductor Spectroscopy and Devices group combines fundamental studies of optical processes in advanced semiconductor materials and the realisation of practical optoelectronic devices. The group has an international reputation for optical and electron-beam microspectroscopy of semiconductors, in particular III-nitride compounds, used for blue-green LED and laser displays.
Particular interests include
- Structural studies by electron diffraction (EBSD and ECCI)
- Excitonic and plasmonic enhancements of light emission
- Rare-earth doping for photonic
- Spintronic applications
- Ion-beam modified chalcogenides for solar-cell applications
The analysis of the structure, composition, and optical function of heterogeneous materials is achieved on a scale of nanometres by in-house electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and hyperspectral imaging in the scanning electron microscope. The group also carries out computer modeling of defects in semiconductors and semiconductor alloys.
