Thermal and Polarization Sensing

The research group Thermal and Polarization Sensors focuses on the exploration and development of measurement methods using infrared (IR) radiation and polarization effects. This involves combining research on materials and measurement methods, which form the basis for customized thermoelectric and bioimpedance sensors. 

Thermoelectric Sensors

Thermoelectric sensors are robust, compact, and passive photonic sensors. Their application ranges from visible light through infrared to the upper terahertz (THz) region, with a primary focus on IR. They serve as the foundation for efficient IR measurement systems and require no separate power supply to generate measurement signals. The underlying concept is thermosensing: thermal sensors utilize radiation-generated heat for precise, contactless temperature measurement, gas detection, or infrared spectroscopy.
Typical sensors exhibit high linearity across five orders of magnitude, which is particularly relevant for compact spectrometers. These spectrometers hold great potential for life science applications and are used in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and medical technology. They also find applications in space.

Polarization and Bioimpedance

Bioimpedance sensors (PolCarr® chips) are compact, silicon-based sensors designed for small volumes of test liquid (a few microliters). They form the basis for localized, self-organized adhesion of polarizable biological species in liquids at the chip level, enabling the investigation of their interaction with light down to the level of single photons.
The adhesion and polarizability of biological species are examined after drying using infrared spectroscopic methods. With photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM), this can be achieved with extremely high spatial resolution (approximately 10 nm).
Additionally, low-frequency impedance measurements are used for counting biological species directly in liquids.

Are you interested? We welcome inquiries about collaborations, particularly in the context of bachelor's and master's theses.

Research Topics

  • Thermoelectric sensor systems with higher linearity and sensitivity
  • Applications in environmental, health, and medical fields, as well as space exploration
  • Space missions (ROSETTA, MSL, BepiColombo, Hayabusa II, InSight, Mars 2020)
    • Pyrometry, NDIR, and dispersive spectroscopy from VIS to IR to THz
    • Development of dedicated measurement systems aimed at on-site applications
  • Biochemical and nanoscale characterization of surfaces using photo-induced atomic force microscopy related to biomedical questions
    • Counting biological species in a solution using impedance measurements

Areas of application

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  • Thermoelectric sensor systems with higher linearity and sensitivity
  • Applications in environmental, health, and medical fields, as well as space exploration
  • Space missions (ROSETTA, MSL, BepiColombo, Hayabusa II, InSight, Mars 2020)
  • Pyrometry, NDIR, and dispersive spectroscopy from VIS to IR to THz
  • Development of dedicated measurement systems aimed at on-site applications
  • Biochemical and nanoscale characterization of surfaces using photo-induced atomic force microscopy related to biomedical questions
  • Counting biological species in a solution using impedance measurements 

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