Student Seminar: Probing mechanical properties of the materials using Brillouin Microscopy

     Venue: Rajarshi Bhattacharya Memorial  Lecture Hall, Chemical Sciences Building

Understanding the mechanical properties of materials is crucial for fields ranging from materials science to soft matter research. Brillouin microscopy is a powerful optical technique for non-contact, high-resolution mapping of mechanical properties.¹ By utilizing Brillouin light scattering, this method measures the frequency shift of light scattered by thermally excited acoustic waves, providing insights into elasticity and viscosity at microscopic scales. Brillouin microscopy enables three-dimensional imaging without physically altering the sample, making it particularly useful for studying soft and complex materials.^1–4 It has been used to probe properties such as the viscoelasticity of polymers and the mechanical behavior of hydrated systems.²

In this seminar, I will introduce the fundamental principles of Brillouin scattering and explain how it enables high-resolution measurements of sound velocity and mechanical moduli. I will also discuss advancements in the technique, particularly with regard to fast spectral acquisition and high mechanical specificity.