Nonlinear Optical Metrology of Electronic Interfaces for Silicon Devices. This project aims to develop a prototype electric field induced second harmonic generation metrology setup for studying thin film dielectric interfaces on silicon in partnership with Femtometrix. The quality of these silicon-dielectric interfaces, which are affected by trapped charges and defects, are critical for microelectronic and optoelectronic device manufacturing. Through several proposed methodologies to separate th ....Nonlinear Optical Metrology of Electronic Interfaces for Silicon Devices. This project aims to develop a prototype electric field induced second harmonic generation metrology setup for studying thin film dielectric interfaces on silicon in partnership with Femtometrix. The quality of these silicon-dielectric interfaces, which are affected by trapped charges and defects, are critical for microelectronic and optoelectronic device manufacturing. Through several proposed methodologies to separate the effect of interface and bulk signals, it is expected that the sensitivity of the prototype setup will exceed the previous record of 1 kV/cm. This metrology technique will be further expanded for applicability to silicon photovoltaics, specifically passivating contacts which cannot be studied via conventional techniques.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100089
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,600,796.00
Summary
In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. This project aims to develop materials for structural and green energy applications, using spatially-resolved, dynamic in situ transmission electron microscopy to research fundamental mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties of diverse nanostructures. These techniques measure nanomaterial (one-dimensional nanotubes and n ....In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. In situ electron microscopy toward new materials and applications. This project aims to develop materials for structural and green energy applications, using spatially-resolved, dynamic in situ transmission electron microscopy to research fundamental mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties of diverse nanostructures. These techniques measure nanomaterial (one-dimensional nanotubes and nanowires and two-dimensional graphene-like nanosheets) response to external stimuli, including mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal stimuli. Anticipated outcomes are new ultralight and superstrong structural composites and ‘green-energy’ nanomaterials, such as solar cells, touch panels, batteries, supercapacitors, field-effect transistors, light sensors and displays.Read moreRead less
Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a ....Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a tool to measure the phonon density of states which is critical for developing a mathematical model of thermal boundary resistance. This is expected to identify mechanisms for ultra-low thermal conductivity leading to potential applications in thermoelectric generators and heat-resistant materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$950,000.00
Summary
A customised triple-beam microscope for precise fabricating/characterising . This project aims to establish a customised triple-beam microscope to enable precise fabrication and polishing (using ion beams) and characterisation (using electron beam) of a wide range of advanced materials. It will provide solutions to prepare ultra-high quality and artefact-free specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies, and allow fabrication of unique nanostructures and nanostructured templates for hi ....A customised triple-beam microscope for precise fabricating/characterising . This project aims to establish a customised triple-beam microscope to enable precise fabrication and polishing (using ion beams) and characterisation (using electron beam) of a wide range of advanced materials. It will provide solutions to prepare ultra-high quality and artefact-free specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies, and allow fabrication of unique nanostructures and nanostructured templates for high-performance applications. The customised features of the proposed instrument are the first of its kind in Australia. The new knowledge developed through this project will significantly impact on scientific insights and practical applications of new materials related to physics, chemistry, biology, geology and engineering.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of enriched silicon for long-lived donor quantum states. We have discovered a method to make silicon highly enriched in the desirable spin-zero isotope using readily available ion implantation tools. This “semiconductor vacuum” is essential for building future quantum computer devices using the quantum spin of millions of implanted atoms with revolutionary capabilities. We have demonstrated long-lived implanted donor atom quantum states in prototype material, made possible by the deple ....Synthesis of enriched silicon for long-lived donor quantum states. We have discovered a method to make silicon highly enriched in the desirable spin-zero isotope using readily available ion implantation tools. This “semiconductor vacuum” is essential for building future quantum computer devices using the quantum spin of millions of implanted atoms with revolutionary capabilities. We have demonstrated long-lived implanted donor atom quantum states in prototype material, made possible by the depletion of background spins in natural silicon and now aim to push the enrichment to greater extremes. We will integrate the extreme material into functional devices that use electrically detected electron spin resonance to probe exceptionally durable quantum states and open a near-term pathway to large-scale devices.Read moreRead less
Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these ....Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these materials so complex, but also potentially useful. By delivering an understanding of the interplay between different microscopic processes, the project will make it more feasible to control them. This will allow for the design new controllable quantum materials that can be the basis for future technologies.Read moreRead less
Imaging Symmetry – A New Mechanism for Revealing the Structure of Matter. This project aims to develop a revolutionary method for imaging atomic structures. In this method, the image contrast derives from the symmetry of the structure, measured at the picometre scale, using tiny electron probes. This new conceptual approach is expected to overcome some of the key limitations of existing electron microscopy methods by providing increased sensitivity and reduced radiation damage, thereby enabling ....Imaging Symmetry – A New Mechanism for Revealing the Structure of Matter. This project aims to develop a revolutionary method for imaging atomic structures. In this method, the image contrast derives from the symmetry of the structure, measured at the picometre scale, using tiny electron probes. This new conceptual approach is expected to overcome some of the key limitations of existing electron microscopy methods by providing increased sensitivity and reduced radiation damage, thereby enabling complex structures in technologically important materials to be determined. This should provide new ways to understand the properties of these materials advanced materials and engineer them for applications in the energy, transport, health, communications and other sectors of society. Read moreRead less
Quantum thermodynamics of ultra-cold atoms. This project aims to provide new knowledge about the relationships between energy, entropy and information in the quantum realm of nanoscale machines and few-atoms systems. The Second Quantum Revolution is currently underway, and represents the merging of thermodynamic concepts of heat and work, with quantum concepts of information processing and entanglement. The project intends to shed light on how classical ideas on the nature of heat and work trans ....Quantum thermodynamics of ultra-cold atoms. This project aims to provide new knowledge about the relationships between energy, entropy and information in the quantum realm of nanoscale machines and few-atoms systems. The Second Quantum Revolution is currently underway, and represents the merging of thermodynamic concepts of heat and work, with quantum concepts of information processing and entanglement. The project intends to shed light on how classical ideas on the nature of heat and work translate to quantum devices. The knowledge arising from the project is expected to underpin experimental breakthroughs in the field and aid the development of new quantum technologies. The benefits lie in informing the design of new energy-efficient quantum materials, making future quantum technologies thermodynamically viable, and strengthening Australia's capacity to develop a modern, knowledge-based economy.Read moreRead less
Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time international ....Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time internationally. We intend to gain better insights into some longstanding questions in MSE that can only be answered by accurately observing AS.
Benefits: By making the outcomes commercially available, we aspire to improve consistency in the quality of products, and increased yield, that result from manufacturing processes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100209
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
A 4-D X-Ray Microscopy Laboratory. We propose a multiscale X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) laboratory for time-lapse imaging. High flux X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) with resolutions from cm- down to Angstrom-scale is proposed by bringing Synchrotron technology to the laboratory. The laboratory aims at revolutionising imaging capability of evolving structures and physical properties in inorganic and organic materials used in mineral, energy, manufacturing, bioengineering, aerospace, automotive and a range of ot ....A 4-D X-Ray Microscopy Laboratory. We propose a multiscale X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) laboratory for time-lapse imaging. High flux X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) with resolutions from cm- down to Angstrom-scale is proposed by bringing Synchrotron technology to the laboratory. The laboratory aims at revolutionising imaging capability of evolving structures and physical properties in inorganic and organic materials used in mineral, energy, manufacturing, bioengineering, aerospace, automotive and a range of other industries. The expected outcome is an integration of XRM between USyd, UNSW, UQ, QUT and ANSTO. The added benefit is to perform long time scale XRM experiments with collaborations in the material- manufacturing, geo- and biomedical sciences and many engineering disciplines.Read moreRead less