The goal of our research program is to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between the material properties and its electrical and optical characteristics and hence manipulation of such properties for the development of devices with greater functionality. An example of this is given in our on-going project in development of Cs-free photocathode, or in our extensive facet stabilization study. It is also our goal to develop a common platform for integration of various types of devices to facilitate greater functionality.
The Si nanoelectronic industry has made great advancement in terms of understanding the fundamental physics of devices, formation of devices with desirable functionality and pushing the technology to its limits for creation of devices with smaller footprint that afford the requirements of higher speed, and lower power dissipation. The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, home to our laboratory, is the only university based 300mm and 450mm nanoelectronic fabrication facility. The tool set and expertise that exists at CNSE are quite unique. It is also the objective of our program to take advantage of our program’s unique access to such infrastructure. Therefore integration of various III-Nitride based devices with Si nanoelectronics and using 3D integration is in our critical path. To achieve this objective there has to be an intimate knowledge of material properties, i.e. electrical, optical, structural and morphological characteristics, sound knowledge of transport properties in related devices, and modeling of surfaces and interfaces, and their electrical and optoelectronic characteristics. We have access to state-of-the-art III-Nitride epitaxial growth facility as well as access to one of the best in the nation (and perhaps internationally) characterization facility. In addition, CNSE’s 200mm shared fabrication facility is readily available to us.
Our III-V Wide bandgap Optronix (optical and electrical) program has made important progress since its inception in 2002. The success of this program and its continued progress is only possible with a good team, i.e. especially our students. Each of our students publishes at least a dozen paper by the time they receive their PhDs, develops and adds a non-existing characterization set up and/or modeling platform to the lab, and in most cases invents (i.e. files disclosure letter, patent application) by the time they graduate. It is to keep this continued success that we place special emphasis on students' scientific background, aptitude for experimental research, and team work. Our goal is to develop our students into technical leaders whom can independently manage a project based on sound scientific thinking, design of experimentation and a sense of teamwork.