Faye Baker
Background
I completed my Chemistry BSc at the University of Bristol with a final project in preparing and characterising kesterite thin films for photovoltaic applications. Having discovered my interest in PV materials, I continued my studies at the University of Sheffield with an MSc in Solar Cell Technology, undertaking a project on mitigating light-induced phase segregation in mixed-halide perovskites. Between studying, I have had professional experience as a Scientific Writer for Ossila and a Technician for Oxford PV, where I formulated and characterised perovskite samples.
In October 2025, I joined the Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics group here at Warwick under Dr Rebecca Milot’s supervision as a PhD student.
Research
Working project title: Nanoscale Imaging of Hybrid Metal Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications
Perovskites are a versatile class of materials with a general structure of ABX3 (for 3D structures), where A and B are cations, typically organic and metallic respectively, and X is usually a halide. The exceptional optoelectronic properties of perovskite have rapidly advanced their use in next-generation photovoltaic applications. However, there remains a fundamental gap in the understanding of their intricate, ultrafast and nanoscale charge carrier dynamics.
My research focuses on understanding how perovskites behave at the nanoscale, where local structures, defects and interfaces strongly influence device performance. To probe this, I predominantly use scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). SNOM overcomes the diffraction limit of conventional microscopes to reveal spatially resolved optical properties with a spatial resolution of the order of nanometres. Complementing this, I employ terahertz (THz) spectroscopy; THz frequencies span 0.1 to 1 THz (1 THz = 1 x 1012 Hz) corresponding to wavelengths from ~ 3 mm to ~ 30 µm and lie between microwaves and far-infrared light. The THz techniques used include time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and optical-pump terahertz probe (OPTP). THz spectroscopy is particularly powerful for studying free-carrier dynamics because THz frequencies align with the characteristic timescales of charge transport and scattering. By combining these microscopy and spectroscopy techniques into THz-SNOM, my research aims to directly visualise nanoscale charge transport and behaviour in perovskite films, providing new insight into the fundamental processes that govern stability and performance with nanoscale spatial resolution and ultrafast timescales.
Teaching
Alongside research, my role as a Senior Graduate Teaching Assistant involves demonstrating in the 1st year undergraduate labs for modules PX151/152.
Position: PhD Student
Start Date: October 2025
Supervisor: Rebecca Milot
Group: Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics
Email: faye.baker@warwick.ac.uk
Office: MAS3.11 / Millburn House G50