Optical microcavities are a powerful tool for nanosensing, which have already allowed us to characterise the physical, optical and dynamical properties of unlabelled nanoparticles in an aqueous environment.

In this project, we build active microfluidic optical cavities to generate laser emission. Various europium-containing hybrid nanoparticles will be used as the laser gain medium. The lanthanides have long been known for their luminescent properties, which are advantageous for fluorescence and lasing applications and offer several advantages in the context of sensing.

 A dye-based optofluidic laser in operation in our lab.

Such an optofluidic microlaser could therefore provide a powerful platform for various sensing applications.

You will learn to operate tunable microcavities in a microfluidic environment, perform spectroscopy of lanthanide-based nanoparticles and investigate optofluidic lasing with suitable nanoparticles.

We’re looking for a creative and motivated Master’s student for this project!

If you’d like to be a part of this project, send your application (or any questions), to Prof. David Hunger or Shalom Palkhivala.

Applications should include your curriculum vitae and academic records.

PDF version of this advertisement (ca. 124 kB) available here.