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DTSTART:20260122T140000Z
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TRANSP:OPAQUE
LOCATION:ICFO Auditorium and Online (Teams)
SUMMARY:ICFO | JAVIER ARRES
CLASS:PUBLIC
DESCRIPTION:The continuous evolution of optoelectronic systems responds to 
 the demand for higher efficiency\, speed\, and sensitivity. A key strategy
  is to modify material dimensions at the nanoscale\, which alters their op
 tical\, electrical\, and thermal properties and enables new functionalitie
 s.\nA prominent example is ultra-thin metal films (UTMFs)\, with thickness
 es below 10 nm\, which exhibit properties different from thicker metal lay
 ers. This thesis explores the use of gold (Au) UTMFs deposited on copper o
 xide (CuO) seed layers\, fabricated with industrial techniques such as phy
 sical vapor deposition (PVD). These ultra-thin films enable continuous and
  ultrasmooth surfaces\, as well as tunable properties through optical or e
 lectrical processes.\nThe potential of these UTMFs in electrochemical sens
 ors based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is demonstrated. The results
  show that thinner films respond more rapidly to SAM formation\, and that 
 biotin functionalization enables the detection of streptavidin through mea
 surable resistance changes.\nThe optical interaction between UTMFs and flu
 orophores is also investigated\, focusing on fluorescence quenching caused
  by non-radiative energy transfer. Experiments reveal the dependence on fi
 lm thickness and fluorophore&ndash\;metal separation\, confirming that the
 se films can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in fluorescence imaging of 
 stained bacteria.\nFinally\, glass surfaces are nanostructured with nanopi
 llars (NPs) generated via thermally dewetted UTMF masks and subsequent etc
 hing. These surfaces exhibit unique optical properties: anti-reflective co
 atings in the visible range and enhanced infrared emissivity. Moreover\, t
 hey are combined with thin polymer coatings to preserve visible transparen
 cy while improving the efficiency of passive radiative cooling (PRC). Resu
 lts confirm that nanostructured glass surfaces dissipate more heat than fl
 at ones\, opening opportunities in solar panels\, displays\, and windows.\
 nThis thesis therefore demonstrates the potential of Au UTMFs and nanostru
 ctured glass surfaces for the development of chemical sensors\, advanced o
 ptical microscopy techniques\, and radiative cooling applications.\n&nbsp\
 ;\nThursday January 22\, 15:00 h. ICFO Auditorium \nThesis Director: Prof.
  Dr. Valerio Pruneri
DTSTAMP:20260417T125742Z
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