Novel Silicon-Based Photonic Devices. Silicon's pre-eminence in high-speed digital electronics does not extend to optoelectronics where the demand is for devices that can generate, guide, detect and process light. However, the properties of silicon are dramatically altered when it is reduced to nanometre dimensions. Advances in the understanding of such effects and in the fabrication and application of nanoscale silicon have provided the prospect of new and innovative Si-based photonic devices, ....Novel Silicon-Based Photonic Devices. Silicon's pre-eminence in high-speed digital electronics does not extend to optoelectronics where the demand is for devices that can generate, guide, detect and process light. However, the properties of silicon are dramatically altered when it is reduced to nanometre dimensions. Advances in the understanding of such effects and in the fabrication and application of nanoscale silicon have provided the prospect of new and innovative Si-based photonic devices, and of fully integrated electronic and photonic functionality. This project aims to extend the understanding of nanoscale silicon and to develop and prototype novel Si-based photonic devices based on this material.Read moreRead less
The Physical and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Si Nanocrystals. The properties of nano-scale materials can differ significantly from those of their bulk counterparts. As such, they can provide materials with new and novel properties as well as proving a useful test of modern theories. An outstanding example of the significance of such effects is provided by quantum confined silicon structures, such as porous or nanocrystalline silicon, which exhibit luminescence efficiencies up to a milli ....The Physical and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Si Nanocrystals. The properties of nano-scale materials can differ significantly from those of their bulk counterparts. As such, they can provide materials with new and novel properties as well as proving a useful test of modern theories. An outstanding example of the significance of such effects is provided by quantum confined silicon structures, such as porous or nanocrystalline silicon, which exhibit luminescence efficiencies up to a million times greater than bulk silicon. This project aims to understand the novel optical properties and interactions that underpin potential applications of this technologically important material.Read moreRead less
Formation of nanocrystals (or nanocrystals with core/shell structure) and applications for photonics, floating gate and magnetic memory. Materials that contain nanometre-sized crystallites of a second material can exhibit novel optical, electrical and magnetic properties that have direct technological application. However, it is often difficult to control the size and concentration of the small crystals using conventional synthesis techniques. This project will overcome these limitations by ex ....Formation of nanocrystals (or nanocrystals with core/shell structure) and applications for photonics, floating gate and magnetic memory. Materials that contain nanometre-sized crystallites of a second material can exhibit novel optical, electrical and magnetic properties that have direct technological application. However, it is often difficult to control the size and concentration of the small crystals using conventional synthesis techniques. This project will overcome these limitations by exploiting the unique properties of pulsed-laser heating to produce the crystals. It will also investigate the optical, electrical and magnetic properties of these new materials and asses their suitability for super-dense data storage, solid-state lighting and advanced detection systems.Read moreRead less
Switching mechanisms in nonvolatile resistive memory using high-k dielectrics. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices, such as cameras, phones and MP3 players has resulted in an increased demand for low-power, high-density, non-volatile memory (NVM). One class of such memories aims to use resistance changes in thin dielectric films as a means of storing information. This project aims to develop a better understanding of these devices and to develop new and innovative processes for co ....Switching mechanisms in nonvolatile resistive memory using high-k dielectrics. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices, such as cameras, phones and MP3 players has resulted in an increased demand for low-power, high-density, non-volatile memory (NVM). One class of such memories aims to use resistance changes in thin dielectric films as a means of storing information. This project aims to develop a better understanding of these devices and to develop new and innovative processes for controlling data storage. The project is based on collaboration between researchers at the ANU and Silanna, an Australian start-up company aiming to develop and commercialise such technology.Read moreRead less
Charge transport and trapping in high-k dielectric films containing self-assembled nanocrystals. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, iPods, MP3-players and personal digital assistants (PDA's) has resulted in increased demand for low-power, high-density Flash memory. However, existing memory devices are difficult to scale to smaller dimensions and lower power without severely compromising reliability. This project will investigate the synthesis and properties ....Charge transport and trapping in high-k dielectric films containing self-assembled nanocrystals. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, iPods, MP3-players and personal digital assistants (PDA's) has resulted in increased demand for low-power, high-density Flash memory. However, existing memory devices are difficult to scale to smaller dimensions and lower power without severely compromising reliability. This project will investigate the synthesis and properties of a new class of materials that have the potential to overcome these limitations. Read moreRead less