Establishment of precise analysis technologies of photoexcitation processes in a micro region such as developing highly efficient solar cell materials has been a research challenge. A research group led by Professor Daisuke Shindo at Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University has been conducted advanced researches including measuring conductivity, and observing magnetization processes by introducing piezo driving probes into transmission electron microscopes. In this study, the research group has analyzed photoexcitation phenomena that are extremely practical to evaluate photovoltaic processes by introducing a laser nozzle one of whose probes is optical fiber-mediated. Electrons and holes formed by light irradiation are detected as electric field changes by the most advanced electron beam holography. The new method has recently succeeded in precisely detecting electric field changes. The changes are caused by electrons and holes that are formed by laser irradiation to organic photoreceptors used as electrophotography.

The group of Professor Shindo and JEOL Ltd. has newly developed a multifunctional sample holder by improving a devise that can independently drive two probes in transmission electron microscopes, and providing one of movable arms with a laser irradiating function. They have filed for the patent.

The research results are expected to be applied to development of new and highly efficient solar cell materials. These results have been published in “Journal of Electron Microscopy” (Vol.58-4) on July 17, 2009.

[Contact]
Professor Atsushi Muramatsu
Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
Tel: +81 22-217-5163
E-mail: mura@tagen.tohoku.ac.jp

Professor Daisuke Shindo
Tel: +81 22-217-5170
E-mail: shindo@tagen.tohoku.ac.jp