Del Mar Photonics - Newsletter Fall 2010 - Newsletter Winter 2010

Calcium Fluoride optics for Sum-Frequency-generation Spectroscopy

Customer inquiry:

We would like to get the product calcium fluoride (CaF2) hemicylindrical prism with the dimensions: length/diameter 20mm, radius/height 10mm and width 13mm. The prism should be visible and IR transparent. We are just looking for this specification. If its inert towards solvents like water, acetonitrile, toulene, hexane that would be sufficient. There is no need for coating and do not have particular choice for tolerances.

Attached is the article where they used similar prism in Dr. Patrick Koelsch group from the University of Heidelberg (refer page number 6-highlighted point).

(pdf) - Request a quote for CaF2 optics

Sample cells for probing solid/liquid interfaces with broadband sum-frequency-generation spectroscopy
 

Dominique Verreault, Volker Kurz, Caitlin Howell, and Patrick Koelscha
Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, D-69120
Heidelberg, Germany and Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology,
Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

Two sample cells designed specifically for sum-frequency-generation SFG measurements at the solid/liquid interface were developed: one thin-layer analysis cell allowing measurement of films on reflective metallic surfaces through a micrometer layer of solution and one spectroelectrochemical cell allowing investigation of processes at the indium tin oxide/solution interface. Both sample cells are described in detail and data illustrating the capabilities of each are shown. To further improve measurements at solid/liquid interfaces, the broadband SFG system was modified to include a reference beam which can be measured simultaneously with the sample signal, permitting
background correction of SFG spectra in real time. Sensitivity tests of this system yielded a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 at a surface coverage of 0.2 molecules/nm2. Details on data analysis routines, pulse shaping methods of the visible beam, as well as the design of a purging chamber and sample stage setup are presented. These descriptions will be useful to those planning to set up a SFG spectrometer or seeking to optimize their own SFG systems for measurements of solid/liquid interfaces.

Del Mar Photonics supplies lasers and systems based on cost effective femtosecond sources for Sum-frequency-Generation Spectroscopy - request a quote