CLF Spectroscopy and Dynamics

Spectroscopy and Dynamics

Artemis and ULTRA produce femtosecond laser pulses at wavelengths from the infrared to the extreme ultraviolet to build up movies of molecular rearrangement in liquids, gases and solids.

The CLF’s ultrafast laser facilities, Artemis and Ultra, use ultrashort laser pulses to study dynamics on extremely short timescales using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Each facility develops laser techniques and work with academic and industrial users to apply them to understand the fastest motions in matter, across the physical and biological sciences.

The ultrashort laser pulses produced on Artemis are used to strobe the motion of electrons and ions during chemical reactions and phase changes, and build up movies of molecular rearrangement in solids and gas-phase molecules. Artemis produces femtosecond laser pulses at tuneable wavelengths from the infrared to the extreme ultraviolet.

Ultra combines laser, detector and sample manipulation technology to probe molecular dynamics (on the femtosecond to millisecond timescales) to facilitate innovative research in the physical and life sciences in academia and industry. Ultra is capable of providing multiple beams, multiple colours (UV – mid-IR), mixed timing patterns (fs-ms) and pulse length (fs-ns and CW).

Each facility provides flexible, synchronised ultrafast light sources. They are both located in the Research Complex at Harwell, and share a new high-repetition rate tuneable IR laser system, as well as having their own laser systems.

Techniques and selected scientific examples

Some examples of science driven by each of Artemis and Ultra faiclities are listed below. More detailed lists can be found via:

All Artemis science highlights

All Ultra science highlights

All Ultra industry highlights

Techniques

More details on the spectroscopy and ultrafast dynamics techniques we offer.

Ultra Facility Techniques
Ultrafast dynamics in condensed-matter systems
The Artemis materials science program specialises in pump-probe photoemission spectroscopy. We use short-pulse laser technology to study the electronic properties of solid-state materials driven out of equilibrium.
Ultrafast dynamics in molecules
Artemis offers experimental capability for studies of molecular targets in the gas phase.

Renewable energy sources

Highlights of our work on batteries, photovoltaics and photosynthesis.

Artificial photosynthesis research featured on journal front cover
Inorganic Chemistry Journal has chosen an article featuring results obtained on the CLF’s advanced laser spectroscopy facility, ULTRA, for the front cover of one of its latest issues.
CLF News Bite: Watching charge flow in organic semiconductors
CLFs Ultra lasers help to understand how plastic solar panels work
A paper published in Nature Communications this week describes how the CLFs femtosecond Raman spectroscopy lasers have been used to reveal chemistry at work in plastic solar panels.
Graphene multiplies the power of light
Could graphene turn light to electricity? Experiments on Artemis have shown that graphene can convert a single photon into multiple electrons, showing much promise for future photovoltaic devices
Kerr gated Raman spectroscopy Used to Characterise Lithium Ion Batteries
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have used Kerr gated Raman spectroscopy – a technique which was developed and first demonstrated in CLF in 1999 – to characterise Lithium ion batteries.
Ultra Demonstrates Sign-posting for Electrons in Photochemistry
Using the Ultra facility at the CLF, Sheffield scientists Dr Anthony Meijer and Professor Julia Weinstein, have published new research that takes an important step forward in advancing the techniques used in creating molecular devices.

New materials for next-generation devices

Highlights from our condensed matter programme.

Artemis ultra-short laser pulses reveal that graphene can lase
Experimental work carried out on CLFs Artemis laser, and recently published by Nature Materials, has shown that a population inversion can be created in graphene, allowing it to act as lasing medium in the terahertz region of the spectrum.
Band gap control of a two-dimensional semiconductor
An international collaboration working on Artemis has shown how the electronic properties of a two-dimensional semiconductor layered on graphene can be controlled by light
Future of fast computer chips could be in graphene
A team using the Artemis facility has tested the behaviour of bilayer graphene to investigate whether or not it could be used as a semiconductor. Their results suggest that it could replace silicon transistors in electronic circuits.
Sparkling STARS for CLF collaboration with Diamond
A CLF-Diamond collaboration has gained insights that will aid development of new materials for opto-electronic and spintronic devices using a new technique called STARS

Healthcare

Ultrafast spectroscopy applied to drug discovery and biological molecules such as proteins and DNA.

A potential new method for future blood sample analysis developed at the CLF
This week, the paper was selected for “Pick of the Week" by Chemical Science, the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
CLF News Bite: Observing Interactions between 4 Stranded DNA and the “Light-Switch” Complex
New technique offers a window into light-activated therapies
Researchers using Ultra have observed how a light-activated compound alters the structure of DNA – which could be the first step in creating new, targeted cancer treatments. The results are published in Nature Chemistry
ULTRA study could facilitate large-scale screening tests of drugs using 2D-IR spectroscopy
A team of scientists from the University of Strathclyde have used the CLF’s Lifetime laser to retrieve sequence-specific information about DNA-ligand binding.

Catalysis

Examples of how our ultrafast spectroscopies can be applied to catalysis.

Accepted into Nature Catalysis: Providing a first glimpse of the chemistry of electrocatalysis through the ‘eyes’ of a powerful surface technique
From a recent successful experiment which was noted as “sorely needed by the electrochemistry community", the CLF's Paul Donaldson, Gaia Neri and Alex Cowen (both of whom are from the University of Liverpool) made a second surprising discovery.
Breakthrough in Studying Sustainable Synthesis
Research carried out using Ultra Laser Facility by the research groups of Professor Ian Fairlamb and Dr Jason Lynam have developed a new method to probe chemical catalysts in a collaboration with CLF and leading agriculture company Syngenta.
CLF News Bite: Developing New Light Activated Catalysts
CLF scientist Paul Donaldson has been awarded a UKRI Fellowship: Molecular stopwatch measurements of dynamics in catalysts, battery electrolytes and ionic liquids in situ.
Paul has recently been awarded a UKRI fellowship to aid his efforts in improving the science of catalysts and batteries, in the hopes for creating a greener future in transport.
Results from experiment on Ultra into analysing surface interfaces of an electrochemical reaction received as “Sorely needed by the electrochemistry community.”
Starting in the era of Michael Faraday in the 19th century, people have long known that if there is a voltage on a metal surface and you place a solution of molecules above it, you can alter the molecules in a process called electrochemistry.
Scientists Discover a Case of Mistaken Identity in Industrial Catalysts
Zeolites are industrial catalysts and are very effective at converting methanol for the production of chemicals and fuels, especially to gasoline, aromatics or olefins.

Arts and archeaology

Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) and its applications in arts and archaeology.

Lasers provide a new way to analyse priceless art without damage
CLF scientists, working on an international project to conserve precious works of art, have found a new way to analyse paintings without having to remove even a tiny speck of the paint to inspect the layers below.
Precious art analysed without damage using new laser technique
Precious works of art in need of preservation or authentication could in future be studied using a new laser technique, developed by a collaboration of UK and Italian scientists, that can analyse layers of paint without causing any damage to the object it
Study of rickets in 16th century sailors could aid detection of the disease today
New laser technology investigates bones of sailors who perished on Henry VIII’s ship.
The art of decoding: SORS spin-off acts as a tool for investigation of heterogeneous painted systems
Micro-Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy, a recently developed technique, has been used for the non-destructive chemical characterisation of stratified paint samples.
The bee's knees: SORS used in quest to find fake honey
Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) - a technique developed originally at CLF - has been used to detect fake honey without opening the jar.