Construction and Characterization of a Confocal Setup for Functionalization of Light Emitting Diodes and Laser Diodes Using an Amorphous Nonlinear Medium

Abstract: A confocal microscope is built to examine molecular powders, and in particular the (PhSn)_4S_6 cluster, that emits white light when irradiated with infrared laser light. The confocal microscope operating at long working distances is assembled and characterized. The components of the setup are first chosen according to requirements of the planned experiment. Thereafter, the microscope is assembled and aligned. Subsequently, the microscope is tested regarding the realized laser spot size, calibration, field of view, magnification and laser throughput. Following the characterization of the setup, a brief test is performed using a thin layer of (PhSn)_4S_6 cluster molecules deposited via laser deposition. This layer is then examined regarding its nonlinear optical properties.