Enhancing the performance of thin-film photovoltaic cells via the application of luminescent down-shifting layers. Photovoltaic (PV) devices convert sunlight directly into electricity. For decades, the dominant PV technology has been based on thick, costly silicon wafers. However, due to higher energy conversion efficiencies and manufacturing processes, thin film PV cells can provide lower price than of the conventional wafer-based technologies. This project takes one of the leading thin film ....Enhancing the performance of thin-film photovoltaic cells via the application of luminescent down-shifting layers. Photovoltaic (PV) devices convert sunlight directly into electricity. For decades, the dominant PV technology has been based on thick, costly silicon wafers. However, due to higher energy conversion efficiencies and manufacturing processes, thin film PV cells can provide lower price than of the conventional wafer-based technologies. This project takes one of the leading thin film technologies and couples it with a passive optical layer, which will result in a 30% performance enhancement by overcoming internal absorption losses. It is anticipated that the increased performance will enable the thin film PV technology to be far more commercially viable and attractive for future commercialisation, and hence reduce the cost of solar power.Read moreRead less
Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate in ....Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate innovative optoelectronic devices for optical communication systems as well as quantum information processing. It will ensure that Australia is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology and optoelectronics research.Read moreRead less
Optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures under terahertz free-electron laser radiation. The recent application of terahertz (THz) free-electron lasers (FELs) to scientific investigation into low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures has opened up a new field of research in semiconductor optoelectronics. This project will conduct a joint experimental and theoretical study of how these novel systems interact w ....Optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures under terahertz free-electron laser radiation. The recent application of terahertz (THz) free-electron lasers (FELs) to scientific investigation into low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures has opened up a new field of research in semiconductor optoelectronics. This project will conduct a joint experimental and theoretical study of how these novel systems interact with intense THz laser fields. Experimentally, we plan to use Beijing FELs in China to study optoelectronic properties in GaAs-and GaN based systems. Theoretically, we intend developing fundamental new approaches to theory of electron interactions with intense laser fields in semiconductors and relating theoretical results to experiments and experimental findings.Read moreRead less
Preparation of silica-based thin film materials with large optical nonlinearity. There is currently a lack of advanced thin film materials suitable for fabricating integrated electro-optic devices to use in optical telecommunication. Such materials will be produced, and their application will be developed through this project. The physical mechanism of the marvelous optical nonlinearities of the materials will also be investigated. Thus the achievement of this project will bring great advancemen ....Preparation of silica-based thin film materials with large optical nonlinearity. There is currently a lack of advanced thin film materials suitable for fabricating integrated electro-optic devices to use in optical telecommunication. Such materials will be produced, and their application will be developed through this project. The physical mechanism of the marvelous optical nonlinearities of the materials will also be investigated. Thus the achievement of this project will bring great advancement in both scientific knowledge and technologies for Australia, and provide huge opportunities to boost Australian telecommunication industries, which are developing quickly in recent years.Read moreRead less
Integration of III-V semiconductor nanowires on silicon platform. This proposal is at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors and academic researchers, including optical communications and microelectronics industries, biological and chemical sensing and national health. This novel material system will be used for the next generation of photonic/electronic devices and to develop advanced 3D optoelec ....Integration of III-V semiconductor nanowires on silicon platform. This proposal is at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors and academic researchers, including optical communications and microelectronics industries, biological and chemical sensing and national health. This novel material system will be used for the next generation of photonic/electronic devices and to develop advanced 3D optoelectronic integrated circuits. The success of this project will enhance Australia's international scientific reputation, stimulate local expertise, and help create vibrant new industries.Read moreRead less
Integrated magneto-optic waveguide materials and devices. We aim to develop chalcogenide glass films for fabricating integrated waveguide magneto-optic (MO) devices as a radical alternative to the use of crystalline MO materials that have proven difficult to manufacture in integrated form. Using our ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition (UFPLD) technique we will produce a wide range of chalcogenide glass compositions through combinatorial materials synthesis and assess them for magneto-optic activ ....Integrated magneto-optic waveguide materials and devices. We aim to develop chalcogenide glass films for fabricating integrated waveguide magneto-optic (MO) devices as a radical alternative to the use of crystalline MO materials that have proven difficult to manufacture in integrated form. Using our ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition (UFPLD) technique we will produce a wide range of chalcogenide glass compositions through combinatorial materials synthesis and assess them for magneto-optic activity. UFPLD will also be used to deposit high optical quality films for device prototyping. We will design and fabricate prototype MO components which are essential, but currently unavailable, for use as optical isolators in integrated optics.Read moreRead less
Advanced Siloxane Waveguide Devices for Telecommunications. This project will develop new methods for fabricating compact, high performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in future telecommunications networks in films of proprietary Inorganic Polymer Glasses (IPGs) commercialised by RPO Pty Ltd. New fabrication methods are required to overcome limitations of the current approach to patterning IPGs used by RPO Pty Ltd. Research will concentrate on hard contact lithography in conjunct ....Advanced Siloxane Waveguide Devices for Telecommunications. This project will develop new methods for fabricating compact, high performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in future telecommunications networks in films of proprietary Inorganic Polymer Glasses (IPGs) commercialised by RPO Pty Ltd. New fabrication methods are required to overcome limitations of the current approach to patterning IPGs used by RPO Pty Ltd. Research will concentrate on hard contact lithography in conjunction with dry (plasma) etching as well as ion beam milling; laser machining or UV writing for grating production. IPGs present special challenges for these technologies. The project outcomes will include new approaches to processing and the demonstration of the fabrication of innovative PICs in IPGs.Read moreRead less
Nano-Engineering of Optical Fibre Fresnel Lenses. It is expected that the development of the Fresnel Lens Fibre will greatly enhance the simplicity with which fibres can be integrated into a variety of systems. An intrinsically focussing fibre will be cheap to produce and have significant size advantages over its competitors, thus giving it an excellent competitive advantage in the market place. Australia is home to a number of companies that would directly benefit from the commercialisation of ....Nano-Engineering of Optical Fibre Fresnel Lenses. It is expected that the development of the Fresnel Lens Fibre will greatly enhance the simplicity with which fibres can be integrated into a variety of systems. An intrinsically focussing fibre will be cheap to produce and have significant size advantages over its competitors, thus giving it an excellent competitive advantage in the market place. Australia is home to a number of companies that would directly benefit from the commercialisation of a Fresnel Lens Fibre. In addition to a range of possible telecommunications applications, the focussing fibre also has applications in spectroscopy, minimally invasive surgical procedures, and especially in the field of photodynamic therapy. Read moreRead less
Defect-induced luminescence from ion-implanted silicon: Towards silicon photonics applications. This project focusses on advanced materials science, photonics and innovative silicon optical devices that have potential for contributing to information and communications technologies, areas where Australia has considerable expertise and investment. Specifically, national benefit will be derived from breakthroughs in fundamental science and intellectual property.
Fractal Based Index Profiles for a New Class of Optical Fibre. Australia has a strong base in photonics serving technological advanced areas of perimeter security, minimally invasive surgical applications, high resolution imaging and optical sensing . Our photonic companies need novel fibre optic advances to stay competitive internationally in order to open new marketing opportunities being driven by market pull. The present innovation will add single fibre solution, fractal based technology, an ....Fractal Based Index Profiles for a New Class of Optical Fibre. Australia has a strong base in photonics serving technological advanced areas of perimeter security, minimally invasive surgical applications, high resolution imaging and optical sensing . Our photonic companies need novel fibre optic advances to stay competitive internationally in order to open new marketing opportunities being driven by market pull. The present innovation will add single fibre solution, fractal based technology, an Australian scientific advance, to the range of technologies supporting our advanced materials-photonic companies.Read moreRead less