Julien Toquant, working at the University of Basel in the group of Professors Dieter Pohl and Bert Hecht

1.What is the topic of your PhD thesis?
Design and operation of a versatile Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope (SNOM) with nano-scale electrochemical reactions capability.

2. Do you already have results?
Yes. I will have my examination very soon (next semester).

3. Is there a potential application of your research?
Yes, the existing SNOM devices are suffering from technological shortcomings preventing their ease of use and reliability. Our design consists of an unique in situ conditioning capability of the aperture probes often used in SNOM permitting easier and repeatable operation of the microscope. This approach is intended to open the road to routine operation.

4. Why are you interested in nanoscale science?
In nano-optics the light-matter interactions are often explained by quantum mechanical systems invisible macroscopically. SNOM provides us with eyes for the nanoworld. Studying nanoscale science and notably characterizing the behavior of charged molecules and atoms in the solid state ionic conductors as well as the examination of optical effects helps to understand many macroscopic observations done so far and to develop the tools required to achieve the project.

5. What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I would like to continue my education on nanoscience through a postdoctoral position in the field.

6. What are your interests outside research?
My main interests outside research are sport in general, to practice and to watch, listening to music and go to concerts, and I enjoy very much cinema, from independent to highly commercial style, and also read books, especially science-fiction, thriller and classical literature. The nano-technology studies I made is also attracting my curiosity for computers and hi-tech devices...