The project will seek to improve the existing method called electron paramagnetic resonance. It This method is based on similar principles as is known to the public as very well known nuclear magnetic resonance, which can be found used in many scientific disciplines such as medicine, chemistry, physics, and so on. "The uniqueness of the project is due to two related factors. First, we should increase the frequency of electromagnetic radiation used in the EPR spectrometers one level higher. And secondly, by inserting antennas made of gold or graphene into the beam of this radiation, it will increase the sensitivity of the method by up to four levels", specifies Professor Tomáš Šikola, who is the main coordinator.
In addition, scientists believe that if such an antenna is placed on the tip of a probe microscope, it is possible to perform the electron paramagnetic resonance method with a previously unprecedented resolution of less than 1 micrometre. This would open the way for research into microscopic functional areas responsible for the properties of materials and, in general, for the development of the method and its application in the industries, services and security sectors. "This is a very challenging task both from a scientific and technological point of view. For this reason, the project consortium consists of top research institutes such as the University of Stuttgart, NanoGUNE nanotechnology in San Sebastian, and CEITEC BUT, as well as from Thomas Keating, the world-famous pioneer of terahertz technology. We will also use the know-how of CEITEC spin-off NenoVision, especially in the design and construction of a new scanning probe microscope technology", adds Šikola.
The importance of the participation of the Czech research team is enhanced by the fact that this is the first time the Czech team in this prestigious project acts as a project coordinator and is thus the main "player" of the project team. "This success is another confirmation of the growing importance of CEITEC in the field of not only Czech but also world science", concludes the professor, who is responsible for the research program of Advanced Nanotechnology and Microtechnology at CEITEC BUT.
FET Open call announces the European Commission. The PETER project proposes the use of amplified plasmon electron paramagnetic resonance in combination with scanning microscopy in highly sensitive and localized analysis of paramagnetic materials.
