Acquisition of a System to Aid Understanding of the Grain Morphology Dependent Carrier Dynamics in Perovskite Energy Harvesters and Detectors.

In order to develop portable, light weight, flexible, efficient solar energy conversion devices with photovoltaic effect for marine applications, it is critical to understand the ultrafast photophysics process of photon-to-electron conversion with respect to the molecular and microstructure of active materials for the design of optoelectronic materials and device structures. Direct measurement of the ultra-fast charge recombination process at the single molecular and grain levels is the most effective and direct method for studying these initial-stage phenomena in photophysics. To accomplish this, the capacity to perform time-resolved spectrophotometry capable of mapping at the molecule and grain levels is needed, as is the ability to study dynamic behavior with a time resolution of picoseconds (ps). To enable the work described above, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC) requests funds to acquire a time-resolved confocal fluorescence microscope system. The system will beinstalled and operated within UNC~s new Department of Applied Physical Science. This instrument will provide unprecedented research and research-training opportunities that will increase research productivity and possibilities in support of Department of Defense (DOD)- funded projects and enable UNC faculty and students to pursue new research areas of interest to DOD. This system has the potential to transform the quality, range, and goals of DOD related research and education at UNC to increase its visibility, relevance, and competitiveness.