Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develo ....Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develop an entirely new information storage system: a high-density silicon phase change memory. This project aims to study small-scale transformation behaviour in silicon and to design demonstrator memory devices based on both micro-electromechanical systems and solid state technologies.Read moreRead less
Developing a simple method for characterising the mechanical properties of nanowhiskers. This project aims to accurately measure mechanical properties of nanostructures, addressing a challenging issue in the ongoing development of nanotechnology. The success of this project will provide important advances in the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of nanowhiskers and assist in the further development of nanomaterials.
Nanoindentation-induced Phase Transformations and Physical Property Changes in Semiconductors. The motivation for this study derives from recent findings of intriguing phase and structural changes induced in semiconductors under a small indenter when it is pressed into the surface. Using an array of sophisticated techniques, in this study we plan to explore for the first time the structural changes that can be induced in semiconductors on the nanoscale and to study what novel properties, partic ....Nanoindentation-induced Phase Transformations and Physical Property Changes in Semiconductors. The motivation for this study derives from recent findings of intriguing phase and structural changes induced in semiconductors under a small indenter when it is pressed into the surface. Using an array of sophisticated techniques, in this study we plan to explore for the first time the structural changes that can be induced in semiconductors on the nanoscale and to study what novel properties, particularly electrical, such nanoscale regions may have. Detailed nanoindentation studies will focus on understanding and exploiting deformation of silicon, to open up an exciting prospect: the development of an entirely new, ultra-high-density information storage process.Read moreRead less
Developing innovative methodologies to understand nano-adhesion/friction. The project seeks to improve the measurement of nanoscale adhesion and friction. The understanding of adhesion and friction between a nanowhisker and a substrate is crucial for developing next-generation nanodevices. However, the current methods for measuring nanoscale adhesion and friction are inaccurate and can produce contradictory results, due to the extreme challenges in mastering sophisticated measuring techniques an ....Developing innovative methodologies to understand nano-adhesion/friction. The project seeks to improve the measurement of nanoscale adhesion and friction. The understanding of adhesion and friction between a nanowhisker and a substrate is crucial for developing next-generation nanodevices. However, the current methods for measuring nanoscale adhesion and friction are inaccurate and can produce contradictory results, due to the extreme challenges in mastering sophisticated measuring techniques and the lack of understanding of their underlying mechanisms. This project aims to develop innovative ‘push-peel’ and ‘push-slide’ methods to accurately measure those properties and to further understand their fundamental origins. Successful outcomes from this study would not only solve a long-standing problem in the application of nanowhiskers, but also generate new nanosurface science.Read moreRead less
Terahertz optoelectronics based on spintronics materials. Spintronic devices have many advantages which include non-volatility, permitting data retention in non-powered conditions, increased integration densities, high data processing speeds, low electrical energy demands, and a fabrication process compatible with those currently used in semiconductor microelectronics. The low energy consumption of spintronic devices also leads to economic and environmental benefits. Spintronic devices will help ....Terahertz optoelectronics based on spintronics materials. Spintronic devices have many advantages which include non-volatility, permitting data retention in non-powered conditions, increased integration densities, high data processing speeds, low electrical energy demands, and a fabrication process compatible with those currently used in semiconductor microelectronics. The low energy consumption of spintronic devices also leads to economic and environmental benefits. Spintronic devices will help to meet the sensing and storage demands of information technology in the decades to come. The project will enhance the international competitiveness and export power of Australian industry in the areas of information technology, quantum computing, magnetic recording and optoelectronics.Read moreRead less
Photon induced nonlinear absorption and transport in semiconductor nanostructures. Photon induced transport in electronic systems is of great importance in fundamental science and in development of new optoelectronics devices. In this project we aim to study the microwave radiation induced dc transport and nonlinear absorption in high mobility systems. The result will shed light on newly discoveredzero-resistance state in semiconductor nanostructures. The expected outcome is an improved underst ....Photon induced nonlinear absorption and transport in semiconductor nanostructures. Photon induced transport in electronic systems is of great importance in fundamental science and in development of new optoelectronics devices. In this project we aim to study the microwave radiation induced dc transport and nonlinear absorption in high mobility systems. The result will shed light on newly discoveredzero-resistance state in semiconductor nanostructures. The expected outcome is an improved understanding on the mechanism of reducing dc resistance in low-dimensional electronic systems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453974
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,190.00
Summary
T-ray factory: a new Australian source of strong, pulsed, broadband, terahertz radiation. Australian scientists and engineers require immediate access to frontier T-ray (terahertz radiation) technology to solve pressing current problems in semiconductor nanostructures and emerging problems in fields as diverse as biophysics and national security. Recent innovations now make practical the production of bursts of terahertz radiation by applying ultrafast optical pulses to photoconductive or elect ....T-ray factory: a new Australian source of strong, pulsed, broadband, terahertz radiation. Australian scientists and engineers require immediate access to frontier T-ray (terahertz radiation) technology to solve pressing current problems in semiconductor nanostructures and emerging problems in fields as diverse as biophysics and national security. Recent innovations now make practical the production of bursts of terahertz radiation by applying ultrafast optical pulses to photoconductive or electro-optic media, facilitating unparalleled time-resolved spectroscopy and imaging. The state-of-the-art equipment to be purchased and installed at Wollongong will enhance the existing excellent terahertz infrastructure (unique spectrometers, optically-pumped molecular laser) and efficiently service researchers in the dynamic Sydney (UTS, UNSW) - Wollongong (UoW) - Canberra (ANU) corridor.Read moreRead less
Fabrication, charge and spin ordering, magnetoresistance, and polaron effects in nano-size and single crystals of novel transition metal perovskite oxides. The aim of the project is to synthesize a systematic series of novel colossal magnetoresistance manganese, cobalt and iron based transition metal perovskite oxides in the forms of nano-structures, nano-structured composites and single crystals using advanced nano-technology and crystal growth techniques. Extensive fundamental studies on magne ....Fabrication, charge and spin ordering, magnetoresistance, and polaron effects in nano-size and single crystals of novel transition metal perovskite oxides. The aim of the project is to synthesize a systematic series of novel colossal magnetoresistance manganese, cobalt and iron based transition metal perovskite oxides in the forms of nano-structures, nano-structured composites and single crystals using advanced nano-technology and crystal growth techniques. Extensive fundamental studies on magnetoresistance, spin and change ordering, and nano-scale behaviors will be carried out by neutron diffraction, synchrotron radiation, transport and magnetic measurements over a wide temperature range and magnetic fields. The outcomes of this project are likely to lead to a better undertanding of the colossal magnetoresistance mechanisms, the discovery of fascinating new physical phenomena and suitable magnetoresistance materials for superior magnetic recording, sensing and switch devicesRead moreRead less
Non-linear dynamics in electronic systems and devices under intense terahertz radiation. Non-linear interactions allow for a detailed and intricate probing of materials. Sufficiently high-power light directed at a subject can yield spectroscopic data about multiple material parameters, providing a unique diagnostic tool for many applications. We propose to study the non-linear dynamic properties of electronic systems and devices under various external conditions. A thorough understanding of non- ....Non-linear dynamics in electronic systems and devices under intense terahertz radiation. Non-linear interactions allow for a detailed and intricate probing of materials. Sufficiently high-power light directed at a subject can yield spectroscopic data about multiple material parameters, providing a unique diagnostic tool for many applications. We propose to study the non-linear dynamic properties of electronic systems and devices under various external conditions. A thorough understanding of non-linear properties will accelerate development of new optoelectronic device in the terahertz frequency regime. Examples of these devices are oscillators and sensors.Read moreRead less
Mapping electronic structure and material properties with atomic resolution. This project will use electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to map the bonding and electronic structure of InGaN quantum wells at the atomic scale. We will measure and correlate the local composition, strain and electronic structure variations within the wells in order to understand the optical emission in this system. The characterisation tools developed will allow us to go beyond measuring structure and composition ....Mapping electronic structure and material properties with atomic resolution. This project will use electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to map the bonding and electronic structure of InGaN quantum wells at the atomic scale. We will measure and correlate the local composition, strain and electronic structure variations within the wells in order to understand the optical emission in this system. The characterisation tools developed will allow us to go beyond measuring structure and composition and map properties of nano-materials at the atomic scale.Read moreRead less