Why One Microscopy Technique Is Not Enough
Perovskite solar cells have reached remarkable efficiencies, but many of the processes that ultimately determine their stability and performance occur simultaneously across different length scales and physical domains. Structural defects, chemical composition, morphology, and carrier dynamics all influence one another.
This raises an important question: Can a single microscopy modality reveal the complete picture?
For Professor Stefan Weber and the Weber Microscopy Group at the University of Stuttgart, the solution was not to search for a better individual technique, but to combine complementary microscopy modalities into a single correlative workflow. Their vision became reality through the ERC-funded NanoPLoT project.
The Weber Microscopy Group’s Approach
Every microscopy technique answers different scientific questions. Individually, each technique provides valuable information. Together, they enable researchers to investigate whether structural features, compositional changes, and optoelectronic behavior originate from the same locations within a sample. This correlation is often essential for understanding why a material behaves the way it does.
The Weber Microscopy Group focuses on understanding metal halide perovskites at the nanoscale. Their objective is not simply to collect more images, but to connect different physical properties into a coherent understanding of material behavior.
Their multimodal platform combines:
- Time-resolved photoluminescence microscopy
- Hyperspectral imaging
- Atomic force microscopy
By correlating these datasets, the group investigates how morphology, composition, structural defects, and carrier dynamics are related within the same sample, helping bridge the gap between fundamental material properties and functional device performance. While the current focus is on perovskite research, the same correlative microscopy approach also holds promise for applications ranging from LED materials and quantum dots to advanced semiconductor characterization.
