A supercontinuum (SC) light source is a pulsed, broadband, high-power tunable light source, which generates 100ps optical pulses with variable repetition rates (1-80MHz) over a broad wavelength range ~450-2000nm. It forms a valuable resource for various applications in spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime measurements and confocal microscopy. We propose the purchase of such a SC light source as a joint investments for our research groups. This device is of high scientific value to our ongoing experiments and a joint purchase is currently a very attractive option: The SC source would only be used for ~50% of the time in each lab; it is highly portable and fiber-coupled, which allow it to be set up in the respective labs in a minimal amount of time (~15 minutes installation time). The Maletinsky-group will use the device primarily for lifetime-measurements of individual quantum emitters (color-centers in diamond) and for studying Förster resonance energy transfer processes using a scanning color-center. These experiments require a pulsed, sub-nanosecond light source in the green wavelength range (~532nm), with variable repetition rates of the output pulses; requirements that are ideally met by a SC source. In addition, the source will be employed in a collaborative project with the Warburton group, to characterize the properties of optical microcavities containing diamond-based color centers. The Meyer group will use the SC source to explore molecular absorption of photons on the atomic scale by combining optical excitation with Kelvin-probe microscopy - a core-expertise developed in the Meyer group. Essential for these experiments is the availability of a wavelength-tunable source of optical excitation in the visible range (300-800nm) with sufficient intensity, tenability and user-friendliness; combined properties that only SC light sources can offer. Additionally, the SC source will be employed in interdisciplinary projects in the fields of dye-based solar-cells (measurement of quantum-efficiency and impedance-spectroscopy) in collaboration with the groups of Catherine Housecroft and Ed Constable.
