Guido Dittrich: An optical study of nanofluidics in mesoporous silicon

Guido Dittrich (5/2025) (pdf-file)

 

Abstract

This thesis presents a novel method for studying capillary imbibition and vapor sorption in mesoporous silicon (PSi) with white light spectroscopy. By Fast-Fourier-Transformation of thin film interference and parallel analysis of an optical microcavity within the porous layer, it achieves high precision in monitoring fluid dynamics. The research includes a constriction model for capillary imbibition, the resolution of liquid menisci and a percolation mechanism for vapor sorption. Moreover, a new rapid and non-destructive technique is introduced for assessing pore pathways of PSi, by calulating the pore geometry from liquid dynamics and capillary pressure.

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