Advanced hyper-spectral microscopy

The aim of this iCASE project is to develop and build a nonlinear ("hyper-spectral") Raman microscopy within a Renishaw InVia instrument and to apply the technique to materials and samples of current interest. Such samples include plasmonic nanostructures, two-dimensional layered semiconductors and metals and, potentially, topical examples of photovoltaic, photonic, pharmaceutical and biological materials. These are all areas where the University of Bath has significant expertise and work on these is aligned with University and UKRI strategic priorities, such as the EPSRC "light matter interaction and optical phenomena" research area, where the UK aims to maintain its leadership.

Currently, Renishaw does not offer nonlinear spectroscopic capabilities within its spectroscopy systems and the project will evaluate the potential for a marketable instrument. The instrument development work and the spectroscopic studies will be carried out at the University of Bath using pulsed lasers available here, with an InVia instrument to be provided to the University of Bath by Renishaw, and work will be in close co-operation with Renishaw. Training will be provided on-site at Renishaw by the industrial supervisor (Dr Tim Batten) and it is expected that 6 months in total will be spend at Renishaw (in accordance with iCASE requirements), with periods of time at the start (training phase) and end (knowledge transfer phase) of the project.

A studentship agreement (CM00002551, 12/9/19) between UoB and Renishaw has been signed (by Alison Evans, Robin Jones, Ken Williams of Renishaw) covering IPR and non-disclosure.