Research of materials and processes through emission and absorption of photons

Research on materials using light (photons) advances scientific and technological innovations, impacting various areas from lighting, imaging, and detecting techniques to new energy solutions. For example, luminescent materials are widely utilized in applications across technology, medicine, and research, such as LED and laser technologies as well as cancer diagnostics. In the steel industry, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is expected to be utilized to achieve a more environmentally friendly and efficient steelmaking process.

In A. Tuomela’s dissertation, several rare-earth doped materials, with potential for technological applications, were studied using synchrotron radiation. In the first study, experimental results were compared with computational results. Secondly the dissertation examined e.g. the effect of oxygen on luminescent material. Finally, the dissertation investigated plasma emissions of slag samples from electric arc furnaces (EAF) and ladle furnaces by means of OES, with a laboratory-scale EAF.

The results of luminescent material studies provided important fundamental information about material properties by observing physical transitions between energy states. Findings indicated, for instance, that oxygen contamination can significantly reduce luminescence intensity. In the study on the steelmaking process, the most prominent and relevant spectral peaks were identified, and their correlation with slag composition was demonstrated through direct comparison and ratio analysis. OES appeared to be a suitable method for process monitoring and optimization. Recommendations were provided regarding the resolution of industrial-scale applications.

The doctoral research demonstrates that developing new materials for technological innovations and advancing steelmaking processes require research based on photon emission and absorption.