Nanoclusters with Extraordinary Properties Made out of Ordinary Materials. Ultrafast laser deposition - a process pioneered by the Applicants - has already demonstrated record yields in the production of carbon-based nano-clustered materials with better control over the size of the nano-particles than any other process. This project aims to improve fundamental understanding of the ultra-fast laser deposition method of nano-fabrication through theoretical and experimental studies, which accurate ....Nanoclusters with Extraordinary Properties Made out of Ordinary Materials. Ultrafast laser deposition - a process pioneered by the Applicants - has already demonstrated record yields in the production of carbon-based nano-clustered materials with better control over the size of the nano-particles than any other process. This project aims to improve fundamental understanding of the ultra-fast laser deposition method of nano-fabrication through theoretical and experimental studies, which accurately correlate the ablation conditions to the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of resulting nano-particles. The results will be applied to efficiently produce nano-clustered materials with tuneable properties for a wide range of new technologies such as spintronics, biophotonics, and nanoclinics.Read moreRead less
High-energy electron scattering of surfaces: new spectroscopies and new physics. Electrons sometimes behave as particles, and sometimes as waves. Both aspects are used when investigating nano-structures with electron beams. In this research program we design and perform experiments to measure sample composition using the particle nature, and the atom positions by using the wave nature of electrons. These novel experiments, using unique spectrometers designed and developed in Australia, are aime ....High-energy electron scattering of surfaces: new spectroscopies and new physics. Electrons sometimes behave as particles, and sometimes as waves. Both aspects are used when investigating nano-structures with electron beams. In this research program we design and perform experiments to measure sample composition using the particle nature, and the atom positions by using the wave nature of electrons. These novel experiments, using unique spectrometers designed and developed in Australia, are aimed at making new forms of electron microscopy possible, but will also result in a better understanding of existing electron microscopies and synchrotron-based measurements.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
Applying advanced synchrotron radiation-based techniques to determine the connection between the geometric and electronic structure of semiconductor nanocrystals. As the dimensions of nanocrystals become small unique optical and electronic properties are observed, forming the basis of many new technologies. The properties of interest depend on the fine-scale, local details of the nanocrystal structure, which may differ considerably from bulk-like. Advanced synchrotron radiation techniques wil ....Applying advanced synchrotron radiation-based techniques to determine the connection between the geometric and electronic structure of semiconductor nanocrystals. As the dimensions of nanocrystals become small unique optical and electronic properties are observed, forming the basis of many new technologies. The properties of interest depend on the fine-scale, local details of the nanocrystal structure, which may differ considerably from bulk-like. Advanced synchrotron radiation techniques will be used to investigate the relationship between the local geometric and electronic structure of semiconductor nanocrystals. Insight will be provided to their formation and stability, and the important mechanisms of their unique optical and electronic properties will be identified. Such fundamental information is necessary to facilitate innovative application of future nanocrystal 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
Ion implantation processing in Silicon Carbide for microelectronic applications. The aim of this project is to study the application of ion implantation to silicon carbide for dopant incorporation and defect engineering. The successful dopant incorporation, especially p-type doping will be crucial for SiC high power and high frequency devices. The outcomes of the project are (a) the understanding of extended and point defect formation in silicon carbide from ion implantation. (b) detailed charac ....Ion implantation processing in Silicon Carbide for microelectronic applications. The aim of this project is to study the application of ion implantation to silicon carbide for dopant incorporation and defect engineering. The successful dopant incorporation, especially p-type doping will be crucial for SiC high power and high frequency devices. The outcomes of the project are (a) the understanding of extended and point defect formation in silicon carbide from ion implantation. (b) detailed characterisation of the extended defects formed by ion implantation (c) establishment of dose regimes for point defects and extended defect formation and (d) development of procedures for the incorporation of dopants with minimum residual defect formation.Read moreRead less
Self-assembled semiconductor nanocrystals as functional materials for microelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics. This project will study an important new class of nanoscale materials (semiconductor nanocrystals) with the aim of understanding the processes and mechanisms responsible for their structure and properties. It will have direct application to microelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics; will provide world-class training for Australia's future scientists and engineers in mater ....Self-assembled semiconductor nanocrystals as functional materials for microelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics. This project will study an important new class of nanoscale materials (semiconductor nanocrystals) with the aim of understanding the processes and mechanisms responsible for their structure and properties. It will have direct application to microelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics; will provide world-class training for Australia's future scientists and engineers in materials science and nanotechnology; and will further strengthen international scientific collaboration in these field.Read moreRead less
Engineering nanoscale material properties by controlled-temperature indentation. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology. The technology is based on semiconductor modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and early-career researchers to gain skills as well as learn techniques and processes needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce. Australia will further ....Engineering nanoscale material properties by controlled-temperature indentation. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology. The technology is based on semiconductor modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and early-career researchers to gain skills as well as learn techniques and processes needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce. Australia will further benefit as the skills and knowledge garnered from this work will be patented at every opportunity and transferred to a spin-off company, WRiota.Read moreRead less
Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understandi ....Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understanding how these materials form could lead to the next materials revolution. This research will lead to materials that industry sectors can exploit for commercial benefits.Read moreRead less
Nanocavities and Nanoparticles in Silicon-based Materials Tailored by Ion Implantation. Nanometre sized crystals embedded in different host materials can exhibit novel optical behaviour, including light emission. However, the optical properties depend critically on the ability to tailor the size and size distribution of such nanocrystal inclusions, parameters that are extremely difficult to control. This project is based on our previous discovery that small holes of controlled size and distri ....Nanocavities and Nanoparticles in Silicon-based Materials Tailored by Ion Implantation. Nanometre sized crystals embedded in different host materials can exhibit novel optical behaviour, including light emission. However, the optical properties depend critically on the ability to tailor the size and size distribution of such nanocrystal inclusions, parameters that are extremely difficult to control. This project is based on our previous discovery that small holes of controlled size and distribution can be formed in silicon by ion irradiation and that such cavities can be filled with fast diffusing elemental species. We intend to explore this novel concept to tailor the size of desired nanocrystals in silicon-based materials for optoelectronics applications.Read moreRead less