Optical Sciences

Biomolecules and nanostructures

The Optical Sciences group studies the interaction of light and matter at the nanoscale. We do this by exploring ways to shape light and its environment. It's what we call active and passive control. Our current focus is on the interaction of light with biomolecules and nanostructures. We are part of Twente University's Department of Science and Technology and member of the MESA+ institute.
We participate in the EU-COST actions MP1102: Coherent Raman microscopy (MicroCor) and CM1202: Supramolecular photocatalytic water splitting (PERSPECT-H2O)

  

Vacancies


  • Bsc / Msc project: Investigation of the possibilities and limits of Direct Laser Writing of microchannels


  • M.Sc. project: Coherent control of five coupled oscillators


  • M.Sc. project: Crime scene trace identification using Raman detection


    • crime scene do not cross

    Crime scene investigation has recently received much attention, amongst others increased by television series such as CSI and Bones. In contrast to these programs, finding traces at a real crime scene is much more time-consuming and much more difficult. Traces such as saliva, epithelial material or semen are often invisible to the human eye. One possibility is staining fingerprints with chemicals or dusting, but altering them makes it harder to use them for further DNA analysis. In addition, traces are mostly present in small quantities, thus a nondestructive technique is needed to visualize these traces.



    Apart from visualizing the traces, identifying them and the "time since deposition" (through which a time estimate of the crime can be made) is also a challenge at the crime scene. Biological traces decay over time and correspondingly may change their spectrum.
    This project will therefore focus on Raman as a non-destructive technique to visualize and identify biological traces at a crime scene. Raman is a label-free detection method (does not require any staining or labels) that relies on molecular vibrations for contrast. Another potential label-free method is the use of auto-fluorescence or specific absorption lines.
    This 9 months project involves evaluation of useful Raman, auto-fluorescence or absorption markers for trace detection at crime scenes, experiments using a Raman probe system, and quantification of the sensitivity limits. Further experiments will be done on the changes in the Raman/absorption spectral features to determine whether optical data can be used to determine the age of the traces. Visits will be made to the NFI (Nederlands Forensisch Instituut) to discuss real life situations and viability.

    Contact: Herman Offerhaus, Optical Sciences group, University of Twente

  • M.Sc. project: Fluorescence detection for cancer lesion identification (endoscopic and endo-microscopic)


  • M.Sc. project: Near field investigation of single Quantum dots in a cryogenic environment


  • MSc project: Electrically tuned cavity elements for an OPO


  • MSc project: Energy transfer in coupled antenna systems



    • Apart from the listed projects, we invite students to suggest projects of their own.
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