The electron spectroscopy group (ELSP) at the Department of Physics has a long history in the research of gases and vapors using electron spectroscopy. Nowadays the research is focused on studying the electronic structure and dynamics of atoms, molecules and clusters (small nanometer sized aggregates of matter). The group has done pioneering research especially in the rapidly developing field of synchrotron radiation physics. The research at ELSP is strongly oriented into one of the focus areas of the University of Oulu: Environment, Natural Resources and Materials. 

Focus areas of ELSP group: 

• Electron- and Ion spectroscopic experiments on low density cluster beams and condensed materials systems.
• Theoretical modeling and understanding of experimental observations.
• Development of methods and instruments for nanocluster production and characterization. 
• Participation in instrumentation of beamlines and end stations at synchrotron radiation facilities. 

Science and Education:

The results are published in 20 scientific papers on average annually. The research is carried out as a teamwork with wide national and international collaboration with other research groups working on the field. Majority of experimental work is carried out in Lund, Sweden at the MAX IV-laboratory (former MAX-laboratory). The group is also very active in educating future reseachers through the national Graduate School of Materials Physics. The group coordinates an international Masters degree program ‘Synchrotron Radiation Based Science and Accelerator Physics’. 

Electron spectroscopy group consists of three professors in addition to several senior researchers and around ten Ph.D. students. The research is supported by the Academy of Finland and Tekes (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation). In addition, researchers in the group have received grants from various domestic and international funds.

Open positions:

Doctoral program positions in exact sciences, including electron spectroscopy

Subjects and supervisors:

Prof. Marko Huttula, project: “Spectroscopic studies of metal and environmental  nanoparticles”

Docent Sami Heinäsmäki, project: ”Numerical properties of molecular orbitals”

Docent Kari Jänkälä: ”Dynamics in photon-matter interaction of nanoscale particles”

Docent Saana-Maija Huttula: “Computational modeling and analysis of electronic transitions”

Docent Wei Cao: “Synchrotron radiation based characterization of novel materials”

Dr. Vladimir Pankratovs: "Luminescence of nanocrystalline inorganic materials by means of ultraviolet excitation spectroscopy"

More information:

International Master's Degree Programme

Contact information:

Department of Physics
Electron Spectroscopy Group
BOX 3000
FIN-90041 University of Oulu
FINLAND

Contact persons:

Marko Huttula, phone +358 (0)400 566218