The Group of Optical and Thermal Properties of Materials operates in the study of materials (rare earth doped crystals and glass, colloidal systems, nanoparticles, biomaterials and natural dyes) with promising properties for use and integration into devices for the most varied applications, such as: photographic devices, sensors, biosensors, memories, drug- delivery, energy conversion and storage, among others. We also carry out research on nanostructured materials and low dimensional materials such as nanoparticles, nanocrystals and nanobasts, in order to better understand, mainly, their optical and thermal characteristics. The laboratory has performed the characterization of these materials using a variety of experimental techniques such as interferometry, thermal lens, conical diffraction, z-scan, lifetime measurement, absorption, luminescence, X-ray diffraction, etc. Investment in this line of research is essential for the development of science and technology of new materials and emerging phenomena, considering technological applications, biomedical and on sensors, among others.