AMOLF opens new ultrafast cathodoluminescence microscope

During a festive celebration on June 22, AMOLF has officially opened a new cathodoluminescence microscope in Albert Polman’s group that enables ultrafast optical measurements with a spatial resolution of 10 nanometer.

The new microscope has been built as part of a collaboration between AMOLF, FEI and Delmic. Together, these partners will investigate the potential of time-resolved cathodoluminescence microscopy as a new characterization tool in nanophotonics, quantum optics, semiconductor opto-electronics, biology, geology, photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and other areas.

The new instrument integrates (1) a FEI Quanta 650 scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an ultrafast beam blanker, (2) electronics hardware developed at AMOLF that drives the beam blanker, (3) a Delmic SPARC cathodoluminescence imaging system that collects and analyzes the optical emission induced by the electron beam, and (4) single-photon counting/correlation and time-resolved spectroscopy assembled at AMOLF. The new instrument delivers electron pulses with a duration down to 1-5 ns enabling the combination of ultra-fast fluorescence lifetime imaging with nanoscale spatial resolution, and quantum optical studies in a broad range of systems.

In a further advanced design (to be realized later this year), the SEM electron cathode will be driven by a 250-fs pulsed UV laser beam, creating (single) electron pulses with a duration of 1 picosecond. This will enable ultrafast pump-probe imaging spectroscopy with a spatial resolution of 10 nm. The research program on the new microscope is funded by an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant that was awarded to Polman in 2016.

Cathodoluminescence imaging spectroscopy has been developed over the years at AMOLF as a nanophotonics measurement technique by three subsequent PhD students: Ernst Jan Vesseur, Toon Coenen and Benjamin Brenny, in addition to several postdocs and master students and many technical specialists at AMOLF. Over 40 scientific papers have been published so far, and are listed on http://www.erbium.nl/arcis.htm.

The team behind the electron microscope. From left to right: Benjamin Brenny, Isobel Bicket, Andries Lof, Albert Polman, Sophie Meuret, Toon Coenen, Philip Heringlake, Ronald Buijs

What's happening

Most recent news items

All news items

Research highlights

Natural phenomena ‘hyperuniform disorder’ enables highly efficient, thin silicon solar cells

Silicon solar panels are rigid and heavy, and many rooftops cannot support them. This creates a need for thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into building materials. However, making silicon solar cells thinner makes it harder to trap light inside the material. Researchers in the 3D Photovoltaics group found a fascinating way to overcome this challenge using a phenomenon called hyperuniform disorder. They publish their findings in the journal ACS Photonics.

The researchers were able to make highly efficient silicon solar cell materials that are 30 times thinner than conventional ones. They managed to do this by integrating a layer of nanometer sized structures on top of the material. Up close, this pattern looks random, but it is remarkably when you step back: no clumps, no gaps, and no repeating pattern. This is called hyperuniform disorder (or HUD).

Read news item

People and recognition

Off Road grant for a better understanding of intestinal cells that communicate with the immune system

AMOLF postdoc Dr. Susanna Eli received an Off Road grant from ZonMw to investigate cells known as M cells in the gut lining that connect the intestine to the immune system. Understanding how M cells develop could ultimately contribute to better treatments for intestinal and immune-related diseases. The grant amounts to 100,000 euros.

Read news item

Events and outreach

Science for all ages at Wetenschapsdag 2026

Each year during the national Weekend of Science, AMOLF opens its doors to visitors of all ages to share our enthusiasm for science. AMOLF organizes Wetenschapsdag together with four other research organizations at Amsterdam Science Park: ARCNL, Nikhef, CWI, and University of Amsterdam.

Read news item

About AMOLF

Annual AMOLF Diversity Day focuses on Impostor Phenomenon

Once a year, the AMOLF Inclusion and Diversity team organizes Diversity Day for all AMOLF employees. On October 1, this year’s event took place with the theme Beyond Impostor Phenomenon – More Than Just Luck.

Read news item