Facilities

Frequency-domain thermoreflectance

Our frequency-domain thermoreflectance (FDTR) tool is capable of broadband modulation up to ~200 MHz. With this we will be able to quantitatively measure the thermal properties of bulk materials, composites, thin films and interfaces. The variable modulation frequency will allow us to sample thermal transport over varying thermal penetration lengths. We have further implemented beam-offsetting and Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) approaches to further enhance sensitivity to heat transport for anisotropic and very thin layers.

The system includes: Newport RS2000 table - Omicron lasers - Conoptics isolators - Keithley 2230-30 power supply - Anritsu MG3740A RF analog signal generator - Stanford Research SR830 lock-in amplifier - Zurich Instruments HF2LI-MF lock-in amplifier - Lots of assorted Thorlabs and Minicircuits components

LUTHER

Our Laboratory for Ultrafast THERmo-magnetics (LUTHER) enables us to carry out studies on ultrafast magnetization dynamics at high temperature. The facility comprises of a time-domain thermoreflectance module (TDTR) and a thermo-magnetics module. We can measure the magnetization dynamics at variable elevated temperatures (up to ~400 C), cooling rates, magnetic field strength (up to ~2 Tesla) and angle. Measurements can be made by thermoreflectance or magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE). The facility can additionally be used for other studies spanning magnetics (all-optical magnetization switching (AOS), time-resolved MOKE), heat transport, acoustics (picosecond ultrasonics).

The system includes: Newport UT2 table - Amplitude Systemes Satsuma HP 10W laser with SHG module - GMW 3473 variable-pole gap electromagnet on a rotating base - Zurich Instruments HF2LI lock-in amplifier - Newport optical delay stage - Conoptics electro-optic modulators - More to come...