We operate state-of-the-art experimental equipment with focus on materials synthesis, solid state spectroscopy, and mechanical and optical characterization. The following instruments are available at the chair (set-up within the last 2-3 years):
Optical Spectroscopy
- two Raman spectrometers, including polarization set-up, temperature control, low-frequency filters, scanning stages, diamond anvil cell, five laser lines from Vis to NIR (Renishaw)
- IR spectrometer (Perkin Elmer)
- high-resolution dynamic fluorescence spectrometer, including Vis, red and NIR – PMT detector channels, static Xe, flash, ns laser and diode excitation (several lines from UV to NIR), TCSPC (~ 90 ps resolution), integration sphere, cryostat and further accessories (Horiba Jobin-Yvon)
- high-resolution UV/Vis/NIR transmission & reflection spectroscopy (Agilent, including UMA and integration sphere)
- spectroscopic scanning stage for large-area, spatially resolved UV/Vis/NIR optical spectroscopy (custom)
Other Spectrometers (ex-thermal)
- dissipative quartz crystal microbalance with various reaction cells for mechanical spectroscopy (qSense)
- dielectric/impedance spectrometer RT to 400°C
Optical Microscopy
- wide-field confocal microscopy (Zeiss)
- polarization microscopy (Zeiss)
- fluorescence microscopy (Olympus)
- IR microscopy (Perkin Elmer)
- Raman microscopy (Renishaw)
- Stress-field analysis (Isis)
- digital microscope, various objectives with optical zoom to 5000x
- laser scanning microscope, including various in situ cells and spectroscopic analysis (Zeiss)
Thermal Analysis
- differential scanning calorimetry & accurate absolute heat capacity analysis on glasses (Netzsch)
- simultaneous thermal analysis (DTA/TGA) and coupled mass spectrometer for determination of volatiles (Netzsch)
- dynamic thermo-mechanical analysis (Netzsch)
- laser flash apparatus for thermal conductivity and simultaneous Cp up to 1500 °C
Mechanical Analysis
- nano-indentation platform, including CMS and lateral force units, high-load module, for determining hardness, Young’s modulus, local deformation behavior, lateral abrasion and scratch resistance (Agilent)
- two tabletop universal testing machines for tensile and compressive testing, including set-up for single-fiber tensile and loop-testing, stress-strain curves (Zwick)
- micro-bending module (Kammrath & Weiss)
- ultrasonic echography for determining Poisson ratio and elastic moduli (Karl Deutsch)
- optical strain analyzer (Ilis) and polarization microscopes (see above)
- surface stress analyzer for DOL and compressive stress determination
- microindenter (Struers)
General Testing
- pycnometer and Archimedes balance for volume/density determination (Micromeritics)
- Abbe refractometer for refractive index determination (custom)
- Christiansen-Shelyubski set-up for refractive index determination and analysis of optical homogeneity (custom)
- X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku)
- climate testing (Vötsch)
- façade testing stage for up to 1300 mm x 1000 mm window frames (custom)
- two solar/illumination simulators (FutureLED)
- multi-purpose XRD with HT cells, fast 3D detector, GIXRD etc.
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multi-purpose PVD coater (Leica)
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scanning electron microscope, including EDX, WDX detectors (Jeol)
Computational tools
- modelling and simulation platform (Comsol)
- 3D visualization laboratory (custom)
- graphics/FEM work station
Materials Synthesis
- glass melting laboratory (various)
- reactive-atmosphere furnace (hydrogen, ammonia, Carbolite)
- furnaces for sintering, tempering, reacting etc. ( up to 1700 °C, various)
- sol-gel synthesis
- wet-chemical coating facilities (spin~, dip~, spray~, various)
- sweet-water microalgae reactors (custom)
- planetary ball mills
- autoclave for materials synthesis in supercritical water (500bar/400°C)
- laboratory spray dryer
- autoclave reactors (various sizes, up to 500 bar / 400 °C)
3D-Printing / Additive Manufacture
- two-photon lithographic system (Nanoscribe)
- multicomponent stereolithographic printer for ceramic components (Lithoz Cerafab)
- DLP printers for plastic components