IR-Spectroscopy and Microscopy

THz/IR-spectroscopy and -microscopy

The IR-spectroscopy and microscopy at IRIS-beamline can be used for investigation of any type of materials down to 20 nm spatial resolution in the mid- and far-IR spectral ranges. Possible applications span from investigation of biological systems (cells, tissues, fibres, interactions of proteins etc.), to novel functional (high-Tc superconductors, batteries, polymers, nanoplastics etc.) and cultural heritage (works of art, artifacts etc.) materials.

Selected Applications:
  • Vibrational, structural electronic properties of liquids, solids, surfaces and thin layers
  • Microscopic investigation of structured materials, e.g. biological systems (cells, tissues, fibres, interactions of proteins), with diffraction limited spatial resolution (ca. 5-10 µm)
  • Nanospectroscopy and imaging of composite materials beyond the diffraction limit with spatial resolution down to ca. 20 nm
  • Single-shot time-resolved IR- spectroscopy, e.g. to investigate irreversible the structural and functional interactions of proteins with down to µs time resolution
IRIS Beamline and Endstations

IRIS Beamline and Endstations


Methods

IR Microscopy, Mid Infrared near-field Microscopy, THz-near-field Microscopy, IR Spectroscopy, THz spectroscopy, Time-resolved absorption, Polarimetry, Reflectometry, Time-resolved reflection

Remote access

depends on experiment - please discuss with Instrument Scientist

Station data
Temperature range 1.6K - 500K
Pressure range For details contact the scientist in charge.
Detector Bolometer, DTGS, MCT, mid-IR FPA, InSb
Manipulators Cryostat
Sample holder compatibility For details contact the scientist in charge.
Additional equipment
Applicable at beamline(s)
IRIS .0006-1 eV, 2-10000 1/cm, 0.1-300 THz
IRIS 2 .0006-1 eV, 2-10000 1/cm, 0.1-300 THz

With the unique characteristics of the infrared synchrotron radiation source from the mid to the far infrared and THz spectral range, new and exciting experiments in material and life sciences are now possible.

The end-stations at IRIS can be used for spectroscopic investigations of biological systems (cells, tissues, fibres), for microscopy of same and for the investigations on the structural and functional interactions of proteins. In addition, vibrational, structural and electronic properties of liquids, solids, surfaces and thin layers can be studied. This allows to address scientific problems in the fields cultural heritages and noval materials. For example, the high brilliance in the THz spectral range is used to study the optical conductivity at low temperatures of small-sized and unique single crystalline samples of novel materials, e.g. high-Tc superconductors.

IRIS Performance

More Details on Methods available:

IR Spectroscopy:

  • THz to mid-IR
  • Transmission
  • Reflection
  • ATR (attenuated total reflection)
  • Polarimetry
  • Single-shot time resolved down to 5 µs

IR Microspectroscopy and Imaging (ca. 5-10 µm):

  • THz to mid-IR
  • Transmission
  • Reflection
  • ATR (attenuated total reflection)
  • Polarimetry

IR Nanospectroscopy and Imaging (down to 20 nm):

  • Far to Mid-IR
  • AFM based tip-enhanced IR scattering
  • IR phase and amplitude spectroscopy