Fluorescence Solutions for Advanced Material Characterization

The discovery and optimization of next-generation materials relies on a precise understanding of molecular dynamics, structural defects, and electronic properties. While macro-level testing reveals physical limits, fluorescence spectroscopy serves as an invaluable, non-destructive probe to investigate localized chemical environments, exciton dynamics, and charge-transfer mechanisms at the nanoscale. From analyzing the emission efficiency of organic electronics (OLEDs) and perovskite solar cells to mapping the structural integrity of advanced polymers, nanomaterials, and smart coatings, HORIBA’s high-sensitivity fluorescence instrumentation provides unprecedented spectral resolution and lifetime accuracy. By pairing industry-leading sensitivity with advanced data analytics, HORIBA delivers the reliable, reproducible insights required to solve your most complex material characterization and engineering challenges.


Glass | Nanotechnology | Photovoltaics | Polymers | Rare Earths

Glass Materials

Why use fluorescence to characterize GLASS materials? 

  • Glasses and Ceramics have unique absorbance, transmission, and luminescent properties based on their composition 
  • Composition quality 
  • Novel materials characterization 
  • Standard reference materials 

 

What techniques are used to measure GLASS fluorescence? 

  • Spectra 
    • Emission 
    • Excitation 
    • EEMs 
  • Lifetimes 
  • Anisotropy 

 

Why use HORIBA fluorometers to characterize GLASS? 

  • Modular fluorometers for multiple wavelength ranges (UV-Vis-NIR, multiple detectors, gratings, etc.) 
  • Superior stray light rejection for highly scattering solid samples 
  • High resolution with longer focal length spectrometers 
  • Multiple lifetime techniques (TCSPC and SSTD)

Nanotechnology

Why use fluorescence in NANOTECHNOLOGY?

  • Fluorescence reports on a molecular level to give physical information about  novel nano-materials 
  • Quantum Dots are luminescent structures on the nanoscale with characteristics emission bands 
  • Semiconductor material characterization 
  • Gold nanorods/nanoparticles for biosensing are luminescent 
  • The diameter and helical angles of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) 

 

What techniques are used to measure fluorescence in NANOTECHNOLOGY?

  • PLQY 
  • TCSPC, Fluorescence Lifetimes 
  • UV-Vis-NIR spectra and lifetimes FRET/LRET 
  • Lifetime mapping 
  • Anisotropy, Kinetics 
  • EEMs in Near-IR emission  

 

Why use HORIBA fluorometers in NANOTECHNOLOGY?  

  • Easy, reliable integrating sphere for PLQY measurements of solids or liquids 
  • Flexible, Near-IR detector options 
  • Multiple detector options 
  • NanoLog configured especially for SWCNT measurement with Nanosizer characterization software 

Photovoltaics

Why use fluorescence in PHOTOVOLTAICS (PV)?

  • Photovoltaics are the fundamental elements of solar cells 
  • PV researchers study ways to improve conversion efficiency of light energy into electricity by developing newer better PV materials 
  • Fluorescence reports on a molecular level to give physical information about novel materials 
  • Defects in solar cell materials can be studied by changes in fluorescence properties 

 

What techniques are used to measure fluorescence in PV?

  • PLQY 
  • TCSPC, Fluorescence Lifetimes 
  • Spectral characterization of PV materials 
  • Spectral & Lifetime mapping 
  • Upconversion 
  • Current voltage characterization of PV material 

 

Why use HORIBA fluorometers in PHOTOVOLTAICS?

  • High quality stray light rejection, double monochromator, systems for solid samples 
  • Easy, reliable integrating sphere for PLQY measurements 
  • Flexible, Near-IR detector options 
  • Multiple detector options 
  • Upconversion options for spectra, phosphorescence and TCSPC 

Polymers

Why characterize POLYMERS using fluorescence?  

  • Polymers have local and bulk physical properties that are NOT necessarily the same 
  • Most polymeric materials are targeted to have specific properties (pH, size, polarity, concentration, etc.) on a molecular level 
  • Fluorescence reports on a molecular level 

 

What techniques are used to measure POLYMERS with fluorescence?  

  • Special Shifts 
    • Local solvent polarity 
    • Interaction with other molecules (quenchers, water, drugs, etc.) 
    • Energy transfer (distance of donor fluorophore and acceptor fluorophores) 
  • Changes in Lifetime 
    • Quenching 
    • Electron transfer 
    • Energy Transfer (FRET) 
  • Changes in Time-Resolved Anisotropy 
    • Reports on orientational time constants 
    • Particle size 
    • Viscosity 
    • Target binding 
    • Aggregation properties (micellization, vesicle formation, lipid bilayers, etc.) 
  • Changes in Anisotropy  
    • Particle size 
    • Viscosity 
    • Binding 
  • Quantum yields 
    • For novel materials characterization  

 

Why use a HORIBA fluorometer to characterize POLYMERS?  

  • Lower detection limits 
  • Biological researchers use very little material 
  • All-in one system for measuring FL spectra, lifetimes, and anisotropy 
  • Dedicated fluorescence lifetime imaging 
  • Flexible & automated software 
  • Superior stray light rejection for solid samples 

Rare Earths

Why use photoluminescence to characterize RARE EARTH materials? 

  • Rare Earths are chemical elements (metals) with unique fluorescence properties (Lanthanide, Erbium, Terbium, Europium…) 
  • Rare Earths are used as probes and dopant for: Lasing media, semiconductors, fiber optics…
  • All have long phosphorescence lifetimes distinct from prompt fluorescence and scattered light 
  • Used for novel materials characterization 

 

What techniques are used to measure RARE EARTHS photoluminescence?

  • UV-Vis-NIR Phosphorescence spectra 
  • UV-Vis-NIR Phosphorescence lifetimes 
  • Upconversion 
  • PLQY 

 

Why use a HORIBA fluorometer to characterize RARE EARTHS?

  • Phosphorescence lifetimes to 5,500 nm, acquired in seconds (Unique!) 
  • Modular fluorometers for multiple wavelength ranges (UV-Vis-NIR, multiple detectors, gratings, etc 
  • Extended NIR lifetime techniques (TCSPC and SSTD) 
  • Superior stray light rejection for highly scattering solid samples 
  • High resolution with longer focal length spectrometers 

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