Single Molecule and Fluorescence Correlation Microscope setups

For the studies of single molecule and ensemble rotation and translation of fluorescent molecules in glassforming materials 

Temperature-controlled vacuum chambers

• Maximum collection efficiency chambers 

A high NA objective lens (NA=0.95)  is placed inside the vacuum chamber to achieve the highest possible fluorescence collection efficiency while controlling the sample temperature from cryogenic temperatures to 600 K. 

1. Winter chamber

Liquid nitrogen-cooled UHV cryostat (Janis ST-400) incorporated in the chamber provides access the cryogenic temperatures. Dedicated to the system that has the glass transition temperature below the room temperature.

2. Summer chamber

Temperature is controlled by a cartridge heater without active cooling.  Dedicated to the system that has the glass transition temperature above the room temperature to 600 K.

• Standard compact chambers

A long working distance 60x objective lens (NA=0.7)  is placed outside the vacuum chamber. 

1. Resistive heater chamber

Temperature is controlled by a cartridge heater without active cooling. Dedicated to the system that has the glass transition temperature above the room temperature to 600 K.

2. Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) chamber

Temperature is controlled by a TEC. Dedicated to the system that has the glass transition temperature from 260 K to 400 K.

Excitation

Can select different laser lines for excitation (405 nm, 473 nm, 488 nm, and 532 nm). Home-built multimode fiber shaker provides a randomly polarized and homogenous illuminated field of view. 

Detection 

• Variable magnification 

Variable magnification while maintaining the highest possible fluorescence collection efficiency.

• EMCCD cameras

Two Andor iXon 897 EMCCD cameras are dedicated to winter and summer chambers.  Potometrics Evolve 512 Delta EMCCD camera  is shared by the resistive heater chamber and TEC chamber.  

Temperature Controlled Reflective Polarizing Microscope

For the studies of crystallization kinetics of glassforming materials.  Temperature is controlled by either a 1. Home-built closed chamber or 2. Linkam stage. 

1. Homebuilt closed chamber: vacuum (~ xx mtorr) to nitrogen-rich environment, cartridge heater controls temperature from room temperature to 350°C.

2. Linkam stage (Linkam, THMS600):  nitrogen-rich environment, Liquid nitrogen active cooling used in a temperature range of < -195°C to 600°C with heating/freezing rates of 150°C/min 

Monochrometer and spectrometer setup

Monochrometer(Dongwoo Optron xxxx) and Spectrometer(xxxx equiped with Andor xxxxx) setup. 

1. Standard solution and film UV-Vis and fluorescence 

2. Temperature-controlled closed chamber 

3. Angle-dependent fluorescence measurements.   

Temperature Controlled Spectroscopic Ellipsometer

Nanoview  MG-1000 spectroscopic ellipsometer equipped with temperature and environment controlled stages. 

1. Homebuilt closed TEC chamber: vacuum (~ 10 mtorr) to nitrogen-rich environment, cartridge heater controls temperature from room temperature to 300°C with TEC cooled air cooling.

2. Homebuilt closed resistive heater chamber: vacuum (~ 10 mtorr) to nitrogen-rich environment, TEC controls temperature from -20°C to 150°C.

3. Linkam stage (Linkam, THMS600):  nitrogen-rich environment, Liquid nitrogen active cooling used in a temperature range of < -195°C to 600°C with heating/freezing rates of 150°C/min 

Organic Physical Vapor Deposition Chamber

Custom-built cryo pump (xxxx) vacuum deposition chamber with a base pressure of  5x10-7 torr. The chamber includes 4 organic evaporators for co-deposition with the deposition rates of 2 evaporators are actively controlled by QCM-based deposition rate controllers (Telemark 861), and the overall deposition rate is monitored by an independent QCM(xxx). The chamber has 4 sample stages in which temperatures are independently controlled by TEC temperature controller (-20°C - 150°C). 

Additional Tools 

The wet chemistry lab is equipped with a fume hood, spin coater, ovens, and other necessary equipment.