Prof Michael Johnston

Abstract:

We demonstrate a new scheme for generating THz radiation based on the photo-Dember effect in lateral geometry. By micro-structuring a semiconductor surface we achieve strongly enhanced THz emission comparable to high-efficiency externally biased photoconductive emitters. © 2010 Optical Society of America.

Abstract:

An understanding of aggregation effects in organic semiconductors is essential for their effective use in optoelectronic devices. Typically, the electronic dynamics in such systems are heavily dependant upon the aggregation state, and dynamics often occur on sub-nanosecond timescales. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract:

We have improved the stability and performance of terahertz photoconductive (Auston) switches using a combination of (NH4)2S surface passivation and silicon nitride (Si3N4) encapsulation. The passivation and encapsulation processes increased the average terahertz power generated four-fold.

Abstract:

We demonstrate a new scheme for generating THz radiation based on the photo-Dember effect in lateral geometry. By micro-structuring a semiconductor surface we achieve strongly enhanced THz emission comparable to high-efficiency externally biased photoconductive emitters. © 2010 Optical Society of America.

Abstract:

An understanding of aggregation effects in semiconducting polymers is essential for their use in optoelectronic devices; however, the dynamic evolution of such interchain states is not well understood. Here, we have investigated a blend of semiconducting poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with an electronically inert ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) matrix that is shown to allow precise control over the extent to which the P3HT chains aggregate. We determined the singlet exciton population within isolated and aggregated P3HT regions using femtosecond time-resolved photoluminescence measurements and found a strong ultrafast decay pathway in the aggregated case only. Comparison of the emission from the two lowest vibronic bands demonstrates a changeover from an initial vibrationally "hot" photoexcited state to a geometrically relaxed aggregate state within ∼13 ps, corresponding to time scales for torsional relaxation in these materials. We conclude that formation of an aggregate excited state in conjugated polymers is mediated by vibrational relaxation from a low-symmetry to a high-symmetry ordered state for the ensemble. © 2010 American Chemical Society.