We are interested in unraveling the optical response and leveraging the photonic properties of specific physico-chemical systems of high interest in material science. We have a particular interest in addressing dynamical processes occurring on the sub-nanosecond time scales, such as exciton and charge carrier relaxations, charge and energy transfer processes. Feel free to contact us to discuss collaborative experiments and projects. At the moment, we are mostly working on the target systems described below.

News! We are currently looking for a motivated candidate for a PhD position funded by a FIS3 Starting Grant, focusing on "Room Temperature Superfluorescence in Nanohybrids". More information here!

Carbon nanodots Carbon nanodots (CD) are a wide family of carbon-based nanoparticles displaying very bright optical transitions tunable across the visible range. Their versatile optical and photochemical response, low toxicity and ease of chemical functionalization enable numerous applications in optoelectronics, photocatalysis, photonics, and beyond. Our studies focus on the fundamental nature of CD electronic transitions, emerging properties of CD-based nanocomposites, photonic and biomedical applications of CDs.
Nanographenes Nanographenes (NG) are another interesting class of C-based nanomaterials that can be pictured as extraordinary large organic molecules (1- 100 nm) with atomically-defined structure and tunable optical transitions. We are currently interested in studying the unconventional photo-physical and photo-chemical properties of NGs, that make them different from archetypical organic dyes. We also aim to expand the gamut of applications of NGs by coupling them to dielectric microresonators.
Metal Nanoclusters Metal nanoclusters are characterized by discrete optical transitions among energy levels determined by quantum confinement due to the ultra-small structure of their metal cores. They are fascinating light-emitters displaying red or near-infrared optical transitions with long lifetimes, which are especially interesting for specific applications. Our recent studies have contributed to clarify the fundamental photo-cycle of novel types of metal nanoclusters and unraveled the role of quantum coherence in driving their excited-state relaxations.
Superstructures The assembly of individual nanoparticles into mesoscopic superstructures enables the emergence of new, collective properties that are not found in individual constituents, such as exciton delocalization, charge migration, collective elctronic states, superradiance. We are interested in clarifying the fundamental optical response of superstructures built, for example, from quantum dots, metal nanoparticles or carbon dots, and to interrogate their dynamical relaxations initiated by photo-excitation with ultrashort pulses of light.
Plasmonic nanomaterials Plasmonic nanomaterials exhibit unique optical properties due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), enhancing light absorption, scattering, and electromagnetic fields. Our research focuses on two key aspects: (i) how plasmonic nanoparticles enhance luminescent nanomaterials by amplifying fluorescence and energy transfer and (ii) how plasmonic nanoparticles interact within a superstructure, leading to collective optical effects.

Luminescent metal-organic frameworks Luminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOFs) are porous crystalline materials made up of metal ions or clusters connected to organic ligands, which emit light through fluorescence or phosphorescence originating from different mechanisms, such as ligand- or metal-centered emission, charge transfer, and interactions with guest molecules. Our research focuses on understanding the photocycle of LMOFs. We also study the optical properties, and shielding protection capabilities of composite materials in which dyes or nanoparticles are embedded within MOF pores.