New Mönch CL System Installed at Loughborough University

Attolight Announces the Installation of a Mönch Collection System at the National Facility for High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence, Loughborough University-UK

May 27, 2025 – Attolight AG, a leading provider of nanoscale optical characterization solutions, is proud to announce the successful installation of its Mönch Cathodoluminescence (CL) collection system at the National Facility for High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence, hosted by Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

This installation marks a major upgrade to the Facility’s analytical capabilities, enabling advanced research into the optical and electronic properties of materials over a broad spectral range—from ultraviolet(200 nm) to near-infrared (1700 nm).

The newly installed Mönch system is equipped with:

·       A high-sensitivity EM-CCD camera for precise, low-light imaging in the UV-Visible region

·       An InGaAs detector for extended detection into the near-infrared

·       A photomultiplier tube (PMT) for fast and efficient signal acquisition

Installed on a Talos F200i Transmission Electron Microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific) equipped with a liquid N₂ cryostage,the Mönch system further enhances the Facility’s ability to perform correlative structural and optical analysis at the nanoscale, providing researchers with a powerful toolset for high-resolution cathodoluminescence studies.

‍Enabling Collaborative Research and Access

The Mönch system will support a broad range of national and international research programs, including studies on defect dynamics in wide-bandgap semiconductors, nanoscale light-matter interactions, and the development of next-generation solar cells and other photonic devices. The system is now open to external users, with access available to academic and industrial partners across the UK and internationally.

“We are delighted  to have this national facility that enables us to use high-resolution Cathodoluminescence to better understand how to improve optoelectronic devices such as solar cells.” said Michael  Walls, Professor of Photovoltaics at Loughborough University, UK. “It will enable us to find out how defects affect photoactivity down to the atomic level. This will help researchers find ways to eliminate the most harmful defects to make solar cells and other devices such as LED’s even more efficient.  

"We are proud to support the Facility’s mission with the Mönch system, which brings together spectral range,sensitivity, and speed in one compact platform," said Nicolas MEDARD, Sales Manager at Attolight. "This installation reflects our shared commitment to advancing materials science through collaboration and innovation."

About the National Facility for High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence at Loughborough University-UK

The National Facility for High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence, based at Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre, Loughborough University, is a world-class research center dedicated to advanced luminescence characterization of materials. The facility supports academia and industry by providing cutting-edge tools and expertise for optical and electronic materials research, helping to drive innovation in fields such as photonics, semiconductors, and nanotechnology.

For more information, visit https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/lmcc/facilities/national-facility-highresolution-cathodolumin/

About Attolight AG - Switzerland

Attolight is a leading provider of advanced Cathodoluminescence solutions for nanoscale optical characterization. Combining electron microscopy with hyperspectral imaging, Attolight’s technology enables researchers and industry professionals to analyze materials with unmatched precision. Attolight systems are used in a wide range of applications, from semiconductor development to defect analysis in optoelectronic devices.

For more information, visit www.attolight.com.

For inquiries, please contact:
📩 Loughborough University: cl.lmcc@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

📩 Attolight:contact@attolight.com

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