News

EBSD Schematic

Finding how layered crystals are oriented at the nanoscale

Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Researchers from the University of Iowa, McMaster University, and Vanderbilt University have demonstrated an accurate and precise way to determine the crystal orientation of ultrathin layered materials.
hydrogen sensor

UI researchers work to develop hydrogen sensors, improve infrared imaging

In this work we examined how microstructures made from silicon carbide can be used to develop sensors that improve safety in industrial settings and create more effective thermal imaging technologies.
Feature figure

Work on non-destructive spectroscopy of Si nanowires published

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
This paper showed that silicon nanowires fabricated through metal-assisted chemical etching can be characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. Crucially, we show that effective medium models allow us to predict the density of nanowire filling and detect nanometer-thick coatings of oxides. This could act as a versatile platform for infrared spectroscopy.
Herky AFM image

Herky at the Microscale

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Showing our Hawkeye spirit through microfabrication!
ToC figure

New paper 'Lifetime and Molecular Coupling in Surface Phonon Polariton Resonators'

Friday, May 10, 2024
In this paper, we uncover how the properties of SPhP modes offer some challenges for surface-enhanced sensors. To do so we develop numerical models for understanding both the lifetime and frequency of resonances in silicon carbide resonators. Our results reveal a comparatively narrow range in the center of the Reststrahlen band offers the best candidate spectral range for enhanced sensing.
Presentation

Sid presents honors thesis

Friday, June 16, 2023
Congratulations to Sid, who graduated with honors on research performed in our lab.
GaN characterization

New ONR award to studying GaN using infrared spectroscopy

Friday, June 16, 2023
In this program we will understand the properties of defects and dopants in vertical GaN power electronics
Image from grant

NSF Career - CAREER: Photonics in the Lowest Symmetry Crystals

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
In this project PI Folland will determine how certain classes of crystals can be used to control both direction, and orientation of light waves.
Photo of Sid and Tristan

Tristan and Sid present at SURF 2022

Thursday, March 31, 2022
This past wednesday both Tristan and Sid presented at the University of Iowa Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, on their work which is being performed as part of their shared ICRU fellowship. Congratulations on a great presentation!
Anisotropy

Perspective on anisotropy in nanophotonics published in ACS Photonics

Publication reviews the possibilities for low symmetry materials for next generation nanophotonics.