Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics Group at University of Potsdam

The research of the “Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics” group is concerned with physical processes in soft matter semiconducting layers. Our systems of interest comprise traditional soft matter materials such as organic semiconductors, but also organo-metallic perovskite semiconductors and, most recently hybrid systems based on 2D TMDcs. Our particular focus is the understanding and advancement of these systems for specific optoelectronic applications, such as photovoltaic devices and photodetectors.

At the heart of our studies is the nature and dynamics of excitations and charges in these systems. The group has therefore installed a variety of transient techniques, designed to follow the fate of these excitations in functional devices on all relevant time scales, from sub-picoseconds through steady state. The group is particularly known for our time-delayed collection field setup, which is unique with regard to temporal resolution and sensitivity, but we also make use of various all-optical techniques including steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and femtosecond transient absorption. The results of these measurements serve as inputs for extensive drift-diffusion simulations, but also for the development of analytical models to describe the function of entire devices.

With this knowledge at hand, materials and device structures are further optimized, with the prospect to push the optoelectronic performance parameters beyond current limits.

For more details about the work from our group, welcome to check our YouTube channel: @OrganicOptoelectroShoaeeNeher