Broadband transient full-Stokes luminescence spectroscopy with high sensitivity

Abstract

Materials emitting circularly polarized light (CPL) are highly sought after for applications ranging from efficient displays to quantum information technologies. Established methods for time-resolved CPL characterization have significant limitations, preventing in-depth photophysical insight necessary for materials development. We have designed and built a high-sensitivity (noise level 10^-4), broadband (ca. 400-900 nm), transient (ns resolution, ms range) full-Stokes (CPL and linear polarizations) spectroscopy setup. We demonstrate its broad applicability by measuring compounds with low dissymmetry factors across various timescales, as well as tracking the temporal evolution of linear polarization components alongside associated CPL artefacts. We have written open-source software and used stock optical components to make transient CPL spectroscopy practically accessible to a wide audience, enabling the study of chiral materials in numerous diverse applications.