Instrumentation Laboratory Project Page
Project: Wide Timing Range UV LED Driver
Department: Chemistry / Biochemistry
Primary Investigator: Dr. Gil Pacey / Dr. Wolfgang Spendel
Purpose: The pulsed UV diode
light source built in the IL enables us to develop new functional
nanotechnology-based interfaces.
Unique nanotechnology properties occur over a size range of 2 to 500 nm
(nanometers). Although many nanomaterials have been synthesized, their
application has been a challenge.
To interrogate nanostructure thin films, we can now use time
modulation. We are developing thin films, which change optical emission
or electrical conductivity in the presence of UV light. Pulsing thin
films with UV light will enhance both sensor analyte sensitivity and
selectivity.
Surfactant, polymer, and nanoparticle mixtures are capable of
self-organizing into complex functional nanostructures. These
structures are phase sensitive and depend on chemical composition and
temperature. A pulsed UV diode source will enable us to fix the
structure using radical polymerization chemistry. Since this chemistry
will occur at an interface in thin films of less than 500 nm thick, it
is critical to control the energy within the film during synthesis. UV
provides the energy necessary to start radical reactions. Pulsing UV
diodes lets us fix the film structure while not heating the film
sufficiently to destroy the structure we are attempting to
capture.
IL Comment: User is studying processes which are affected by UV light, but the speed of the processes is unknown. This generated the requirement for the very wide range of timing from 2 microseconds to 100 seconds. This was implemented with standard CMOS logic circuits. The UV LEDs are quite expensive so the driver uses current regulation to protect them. It has several triggering and timing modes to provide versatility for the researchers.
Cost to researcher: $350.87