New insights into fundamental carrier transport in type-II superlattices. Type-II superlattice (T2SL) based semiconductors have emerged as a rival to well-established HgCdTe-based IR detectors, promising comparable performance at significantly lower cost. T2SLs are complex nanostructures that exhibit multiple-carrier and highly-anisotropic electronic transport properties, which renders them exceedingly challenging to study experimentally. The lack of reliable experimental data has limited optimi ....New insights into fundamental carrier transport in type-II superlattices. Type-II superlattice (T2SL) based semiconductors have emerged as a rival to well-established HgCdTe-based IR detectors, promising comparable performance at significantly lower cost. T2SLs are complex nanostructures that exhibit multiple-carrier and highly-anisotropic electronic transport properties, which renders them exceedingly challenging to study experimentally. The lack of reliable experimental data has limited optimisation and modelling efforts, and thus hampered progress. This project aims to systematically study electronic transport in T2SLs, both experimentally and theoretically, by employing world-leading mobility spectrum techniques developed at UWA and state-of-the art T2SL structures from three world leaders in T2SLs.Read moreRead less
Defect generation in hetero-epitaxy on lattice mismatched substrates. High quality lattice mismatched semiconductor heterostructures are core enabling technologies for next generation electronic and optoelectronic devices with new functions and features such as monolithic integration, lower production costs, larger wafer size, and better system robustness. This project will generate new science on defect generation in lattice mismatched hetero-epitaxy with the aim of developing novel strategies ....Defect generation in hetero-epitaxy on lattice mismatched substrates. High quality lattice mismatched semiconductor heterostructures are core enabling technologies for next generation electronic and optoelectronic devices with new functions and features such as monolithic integration, lower production costs, larger wafer size, and better system robustness. This project will generate new science on defect generation in lattice mismatched hetero-epitaxy with the aim of developing novel strategies for their minimisation. The direct outcome will be higher quality HgCdTe materials on lattice mismatched Si or III-V substrates with defect density low enough for fabricating high performance mid-wave and long-wave infrared arrays with features of lower cost, larger array format size, and higher operating temperature.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100125
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$837,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Infrared Technologies. This project aims to establish a national facility for infrared (IR) technologies. The facility will include advanced imaging and spectroscopy facilities as well as unique tools for wafer-scale mapping of IR materials and devices. Combined, the facility will enable new diagnostic capabilities of supersonic combustion processes, aid establishment of wavelength agile integrated photonic chips and provide non-destructive quantitative electro-optical char ....National Facility for Infrared Technologies. This project aims to establish a national facility for infrared (IR) technologies. The facility will include advanced imaging and spectroscopy facilities as well as unique tools for wafer-scale mapping of IR materials and devices. Combined, the facility will enable new diagnostic capabilities of supersonic combustion processes, aid establishment of wavelength agile integrated photonic chips and provide non-destructive quantitative electro-optical characterisation of IR materials and devices. Establishment of these state-of-the-art capabilities across Australia will have clear benefits in fundamental sciences such as astronomy and quantum information as well as key industry branches in defence, aerospace, communications and security.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100134
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Integrated photodetector array fabrication facility. Sensing is becoming a ubiquitous requirement for nearly all physical, chemical and biological research fields, and is increasingly important for Australia's national security and industry competitiveness. This proposal is aimed at building Australia's strengths in optoelectronic sensing technologies, enhancing and enabling research and technologies for innovative environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, new technologies for mineral expl ....Integrated photodetector array fabrication facility. Sensing is becoming a ubiquitous requirement for nearly all physical, chemical and biological research fields, and is increasingly important for Australia's national security and industry competitiveness. This proposal is aimed at building Australia's strengths in optoelectronic sensing technologies, enhancing and enabling research and technologies for innovative environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, new technologies for mineral exploration and improved evaluation of remediation of mine sites, through to the surveillance and sensing needs of customs, defence and national security. In doing so, it will enhance Australia's research profile as one of the world's leaders in the development and use of optoelectronic sensing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,000.00
Summary
A surface characterisation facility. This surface characterisation facility will provide scientists with an understanding of material's surfaces and interfaces. This will lead to a range of new technologies and innovative solutions required to address the many resource and environmental challenges facing our planet now and in the future.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100233
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Characterisation of infrared imaging technologies. This project aims to establish a facility for two-dimensional (2D) infrared sensor array testing and prototyping. Systematic characterisation and prototyping of 2D imaging arrays is vital in showcasing and realising Australia's innovation and research investment in photodetector technologies. This facility will enable research on 2D imaging arrays, such as pixel yield and cross-talk, device reliability physics, failure mechanisms, noise and long ....Characterisation of infrared imaging technologies. This project aims to establish a facility for two-dimensional (2D) infrared sensor array testing and prototyping. Systematic characterisation and prototyping of 2D imaging arrays is vital in showcasing and realising Australia's innovation and research investment in photodetector technologies. This facility will enable research on 2D imaging arrays, such as pixel yield and cross-talk, device reliability physics, failure mechanisms, noise and long-term stability. The facility will demonstrate Australia's innovative imaging technologies, applicable in science, industry, defence and security, attracting interest from both Australian and international industries.Read moreRead less
Defect engineering in molecular beam epitaxy-grown mercury cadmium telluride. This project aims to develop high quality mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) materials with lower defect density and lower background doping levels. This will enable future, high-performance, lower-cost infrared sensors with the unique features of higher yield, larger array size and higher operating temperature. The project will generate new science and technologies on defect engineering in the epitaxial growth of sem ....Defect engineering in molecular beam epitaxy-grown mercury cadmium telluride. This project aims to develop high quality mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) materials with lower defect density and lower background doping levels. This will enable future, high-performance, lower-cost infrared sensors with the unique features of higher yield, larger array size and higher operating temperature. The project will generate new science and technologies on defect engineering in the epitaxial growth of semiconducting HgCdTe on cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) substrates. This will contribute to the development of core Australian industry sectors such as defence, environmental monitoring, medical imaging, earth remote sensing, mining, and oil and gas.Read moreRead less
A fundamental study of electronic transport in advanced semiconductor nanostructures. The principal aim of this project is to attract and retain very high calibre early career researchers by providing them with the best-available infrastructure and research environment, combined with world-class supervision and mentoring. The project brings together an outstanding team of international collaborators, who will work with the early career researchers to ensure that they are trained and mentored at ....A fundamental study of electronic transport in advanced semiconductor nanostructures. The principal aim of this project is to attract and retain very high calibre early career researchers by providing them with the best-available infrastructure and research environment, combined with world-class supervision and mentoring. The project brings together an outstanding team of international collaborators, who will work with the early career researchers to ensure that they are trained and mentored at an international level. The new science, novel characterisation methods, and theoretical models that are outcomes of this project will provide new opportunities and expertise to advance the strategic defence and national security interests of Australia, and the emerging Australian semiconductor device and solar cell industry. Read moreRead less
Cadmium telluride/Germanium (CdTe/Ge) tandem-junction solar cells for efficiency enhancement in thin-film photovoltaics. The purpose of this project is to improve the efficiency of large-area, thin-film CdTe solar cells by using them in a tandem arrangement with thin-film Ge cells. An increase of 25 per cent in efficiency appears possible, which would greatly improve the prospects for cost-competitive photovoltaic power generation.
Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non ....Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non-ideal dark current and noise levels whose physical origins and nature are poorly understood. The proposed experimental and theoretical investigations and optimisations are anticipated to minimise such non-idealities and thus enable the demonstration of HgCdTe nBn IR detectors capable of revolutionising portable IR detection systems for security and rescue applications.Read moreRead less