CALT (Zagreb, Croatia)
Centre for Advanced Laser Techniques Institute of Physics (IFZg), Zagreb, Croatia
The Institute of Physics (IFZg) is a public scientific institute and one of the leading scientific institutions in Croatia. CALT, being the Department at IFZg, is the national centre in laser-based research in the domains of Quantum Technology, Nano and Bio Systems, Plasma Technology, and Ultrafast Dynamics.
Research highlights
IFZg research highlights are in the field of ultrafast laser spectroscopy (femtosecond pump-probe and frequency comb spectroscopy), cold atoms, plasma physics (laser and plasma spectroscopy), nanostructures and surfaces, hybrid systems and biophysics, electronic states and physical properties of new materials (superconductivity, magnetism, electronic charge and spin superstructures, new collective states), and modelling of complex systems.
Expertise
The key IFZg research topics which employ laser techniques are: frequency comb mediated optomechanical effects in cold atoms, quantum light-matter interfaces; laser produced plasma, plasma application for material processing and the formation of nanostructures; structural and electronic properties of clean surfaces, ultra-thin films, assisted nanostructures, and graphene and 2D materials on well-defined surfaces; new materials of highly anisotropic crystal and electronic structures, with charge and spin density waves, and dynamics on ultrashort time scale.
Expertise in nanoscience and nanotechnology
Controllable synthesis of nanomaterials and their optical, electronic, chemical, structural, morphological and surface characterization. By tuning the synthesis parameters, new functionalities and properties arise as the next step in the value chain from the fundamental research toward final product. Various non-invasive spectroscopic techniques (UV-VIS-NIR, absorption, photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, nano-FTIR, transient absorption spectroscopy, time-resolved photoemission) together with scanning probe techniques (Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy) are available.
Expertise in recyclable materials
Enhancing antimicrobial properties, barrier performance and sustainability through nanoparticle modification of food-packaging and textile polymers. Incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into polymers such as PET, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, PS, and PA for improving their resistance to microbial contamination, UV degradation, and mechanical wear. Cold low-pressure or atmospheric plasma treatment.
Equipment offered to external users
Commercial laser systems: Nd:YAG laser (850mJ, w, 2w, 3w, 4w) and DYE laser (CRD Spectroscopy for laser plasma, atmospheric plasma and gasses detection/characterization).
Chamber for Pulsed Laser Deposition of thin films (together with Nd:YAG laser)
PLD chamber: Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system for fabrication of thin films.
Workstation for laser synthesis of nanoparticles: Workstation for laser synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation.
Workstation for photocatalysis: Workstation for photocatalysis of different solutions.
Workstation for nanoparticle characterization: Workstation for nanoparticle characterization – ICP-OES, Nanosizer, DLS, Z-potential, photoluminescence, FT-IR, UV-Vis-NIR with integrating sphere, contact angle.
Femtosecond One Box Amplifier: Commercial laser system: femtosecond One Box Amplifier: <100 fs; 7 mJ/pulse, 1 kHz rep.rate + OPA1: 290-580 nm + OPA2: 480-1150 nm; Oscillator Vitara: 800 nm (tunability 755-860 nm), 550 mW, 80 MHz rep. rate.
Femtosecond high repetition rate system: Commercial laser system: femtosecond laser, 1.5 mJ/pulse up to 100 kHz, 190 fs pulse duration + OPAs 250-2500 nm, 50-100 fs, 1-100 μJ/pulse for 1-10 kHz repetition rates. System is used for transient absorption spectroscopy.
Raman Spectrometer: Commercial Renishaw custom made Raman spectrometer based on confocal microscope, 532 nm excitation laser, suitable for measurements of low-level signals, for measurements in optical and magneto-optical cryostats, polarization resolved measurements and low-energy Raman modes.
AFM microscope: AFM microscope (Nanowizard Ultra JPK/Bruker) performing in tapping and in contact modes, for AFM imaging in the air and liquids, with modules and modes for electrical measurements such as KPFM, conductive-AFM, MFM (magnetic) and PFM (piezoresponce) modules, quantitative imaging for Young module measurements. Fast speed imaging up to 300 Hz enables atomic resolution and fast scanning capabilities on a single platform. Anti-vibrational rack an acoustic enclosure provide the mechanical and thermal stability to afford time laps imaging. Stretching Stage can apply an external mechanical load to the sample, while the AFM measures variation of the sample properties in-situ.
SEM microscope: Tescan Vega 3 LMU with LaB6 or W filament; accelerating voltage: 200 V-30 kV; best resolution 2 nm @ 30 kV (high vacuum) and 2.5 nm @ 30 kV (low vacuum); 185-850 nm panchromatic CL detector; high count rate silicon drift EDS system capable of analysis for elements in the range from Be to Pu.
s-SNOM (near-field) microscope: Commercial neaSPEC s-SNOM (near-field) microscope IR-neaSCOPE+fs with nano-FTIR and pump-probe spectroscopy options at <150 fs temporal and 25 nm spatial resolution in mid-IR spectral region (probe 5-15 um, pump: 480-960 nm)