Measuring cathodoluminescence at deep ultraviolet wavelengths
Gatan instrument used
The Monarc® Pro system is equipped with UV-grade optics and detectors allowing for the measurement of light down to 185 nm.
Background
Many materials of scientific and commercial interest emit light at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths when excited by an electron beam. Examples include ultrawide bandgap semiconductors used for power electronics, optoelectronics, or photodetectors. Cathodoluminescence (CL) can be a powerful technique for such materials and can be used to study defects, strain, and compositional variations on the nanoscale. However, the detection of UV photons can be challenging, requiring specialized optics and detectors. Consequently, many standard CL systems are unable to measure photons of wavelengths <300 nm efficiently, refer to Fig. 1. Here we examine how the Monarc Pro system is ideal for working in the UV regime.
