Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practic ....Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practice. Problems caused by unsatisfactory surface integrity represent a major outlay for the wireless and fibre optic semiconductor industry. The proposed research holds the very real possibility of reducing the capital cost and enhancing the quality of the integrated circuits of high capacity.Read moreRead less
Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than ear ....Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than earlier generations, at low cost. In both cases, the targeted outcome over the period of the Fellowship is to develop technology to the stage where it can be commercially evaluated, in a way likely to maximise Australian benefits.Read moreRead less
Design Methodology for Low- and Ultra-Low Power Integrated Circuits. This project will develop low-power and ultra low-power technology that is applicable to wide range of products and electronic devices. The results will benefit many areas, for example, wireless sensors employed in environmental monitoring, bio and life monitoring, bio-sensors to improve patient care, reduce medical costs, implantable devices and bio-interfaces that will enhance the quality of life and public health. This proje ....Design Methodology for Low- and Ultra-Low Power Integrated Circuits. This project will develop low-power and ultra low-power technology that is applicable to wide range of products and electronic devices. The results will benefit many areas, for example, wireless sensors employed in environmental monitoring, bio and life monitoring, bio-sensors to improve patient care, reduce medical costs, implantable devices and bio-interfaces that will enhance the quality of life and public health. This project will benefit Australia by developing frontier technologies with a strong potential for global impact. Bringing these solutions to the public and realizing their financial benefits will add a valuable component of economic diversity to the country in addition to positioning Australia as a leader in this field.Read moreRead less
Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class tea ....Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class team of talented researchers and equipping them with world-class research infrastructure. The global market for nanotechnology is projected to be in the tens of billions of dollars by 2020. The proposed research will enhance Australia's competitive advantage through high-impact scientific and technological innovations in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Deformation and Adhesion of Thin Solid Films. Knowledge of the deformation mechanisms and adhesion of thin films on solid substrates is a major necessity for their mechanical property optimisation and commercialisation. The deformation mechanisms will be investigated by; 1) Nano-indentation with small spherical indenters, and 2) Transmission electron microscopy of focused ion beam milled cross-sections of such impressions. Adhesion will be evaluated using three techniques; 1) Tensile extension, ....Deformation and Adhesion of Thin Solid Films. Knowledge of the deformation mechanisms and adhesion of thin films on solid substrates is a major necessity for their mechanical property optimisation and commercialisation. The deformation mechanisms will be investigated by; 1) Nano-indentation with small spherical indenters, and 2) Transmission electron microscopy of focused ion beam milled cross-sections of such impressions. Adhesion will be evaluated using three techniques; 1) Tensile extension, 2) Nano-, and 3) Macro-indentation again with spherical indenters. In addition numerical modelling will compliment the observations of the film cracking and delamination about the impresion.Read moreRead less
Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can great ....Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can greatly increase the scientific understanding of diluted magnetic semiconductors and expand Australia's knowledge base in research in these materials. This program can also be an education platform to provide a number of scientific talents for Australia by intensively training high quality postgraduates at the international level.Read moreRead less
Microelectronic Applications of Improved Silicon Light Emission. While semiconductor silicon chips have been the workhorse of the microelectronics revolution, more complex semiconductor materials have driven the communications revolution. Australian developments during 2001 have largely dispelled the myth that silicon is fundamentally a poor emitter of light. This project aims to build on this work by developing silicon light emitters suitable for integration into high density integrated circu ....Microelectronic Applications of Improved Silicon Light Emission. While semiconductor silicon chips have been the workhorse of the microelectronics revolution, more complex semiconductor materials have driven the communications revolution. Australian developments during 2001 have largely dispelled the myth that silicon is fundamentally a poor emitter of light. This project aims to build on this work by developing silicon light emitters suitable for integration into high density integrated circuits, adding a new dimension to the capabilities of these circuits, driving microelectronics and the information age to the next stage of development.Read moreRead less
Phase transitions in ultra-thin epitaxial polar oxide films. In this project we will utilize sophisticated thin film fabrication and characterization techniques( such as in-situ x-ray diffraction) and the most advanced computational materials science tools. Therefore this project will provide postgraduates and young researchers to cutting edge research, boosting the enormous potential of Australia in basic materials science. It brings together early career researchers with complimentary expert ....Phase transitions in ultra-thin epitaxial polar oxide films. In this project we will utilize sophisticated thin film fabrication and characterization techniques( such as in-situ x-ray diffraction) and the most advanced computational materials science tools. Therefore this project will provide postgraduates and young researchers to cutting edge research, boosting the enormous potential of Australia in basic materials science. It brings together early career researchers with complimentary expertise areas to interact with each other. It emphasizes cross-disciplinary research and exchange of research ideas across three continents; thus providing the ideal training ground for young researchers who are expected to make a major contribution to both, fundamental and applied research in the future.Read moreRead less
Centre for Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics. Silicon photovoltaics (Si PV) is a priority area within the Photon Science and Technology category. Multiple studies have identified PV solar electricity as the most promising option for a sustainable energy future, with Australia already at the forefront internationally in Si PV. The applicants recently have shown that insights from PV also may provide the key to the successful development of active Si photonic devices for integration i ....Centre for Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics. Silicon photovoltaics (Si PV) is a priority area within the Photon Science and Technology category. Multiple studies have identified PV solar electricity as the most promising option for a sustainable energy future, with Australia already at the forefront internationally in Si PV. The applicants recently have shown that insights from PV also may provide the key to the successful development of active Si photonic devices for integration into microelectronics. The Centre's aims and expected outcomes are to strengthen this technological lead in Si PV while pioneering the development of active Si photonic devices for microelectronic integration, with economic, cultural and social benefits.Read moreRead less
III-V nitrides for advanced device applications. We seek to develop the fundamental science and technology necessary for an all-Australian nitride device capability for modern microwave applications. Significant advances in basic understanding of material properties will be made to meet critical technology needs. We will establish an innovative procedure for accurate analysis of oxygen and hydrogen in gallium nitride. Cathodoluminescence, Raman and absorption studies, combined with methods of el ....III-V nitrides for advanced device applications. We seek to develop the fundamental science and technology necessary for an all-Australian nitride device capability for modern microwave applications. Significant advances in basic understanding of material properties will be made to meet critical technology needs. We will establish an innovative procedure for accurate analysis of oxygen and hydrogen in gallium nitride. Cathodoluminescence, Raman and absorption studies, combined with methods of elemental analysis will be used to resolve a wide range of technologically important problems such as the efficiency of doping, compensation and contact processing technologies in GaN.Read moreRead less