Semiconductor-based hybrid structures for ultraviolet micro-devices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Inst of Photonics
Abstract
We aim to unite emerging elements of inorganic semiconductor materials science with novel areas of polymer physics and chemistry, to develop a new range of 'hybrid' optical structures and sources for the UV/violet region of the spectrum. This timely and ambitious programme builds upon our core expertise in optical physics, microfabrication and semiconductor materials science, and shapes and directs collaborations with leading teams - both in the UK and abroad - in associated disciplines. These include deep ultraviolet semiconductors, novel structural polymers, organic light-emitting devices, biomaterials, digital optical chemistry and quantum dot spectroscopy.The spectral region of interest in the current proposal, covering wavelengths from violet to around half that of blue light, is one of special significance for the interaction of light with matter. Many atomic and molecular transitions lie in this range, and, most importantly, so do the natural absorptions of many types of organic (carbon-containing) materials. Indeed, we can interpret the notion of organic materials broadly, to encompass both living and non-living materials. Examples of the former are polymers, resins and photoresists; examples of the latter are DNA and protein sequences, cells and tissues. For these reasons, UV/violet wavelengths are of central importance to a wide range of disciplines at the forefront of current science and technology, including micro- and nano-patterning of materials, bio- and chemical sensing, optical imaging and microscopy, and selective light-matter interactions. The topics to be addressed in the programme engage a wide range of areas including those above: We will develop micro-pixellated light-emitting diodes operating into the deep ultraviolet, taking to shorter wavelengths the approaches we have poineered in the blue/green and taking advantage of the remarkable recent developments in AlGaN light-emitting materials. In conjunction with our collaborators, we will develop and process novel polymeric materials to make custom photoresists and structural polymers for use with the above and other optical sources. This will provide a range of new optical polymers for use in areas such as encapsulation, micro-optics, mask-free and self-aligned photolithography. We will develop, with other collaborators, hybrid light-emitting polymer structures integrated with our devices and investigate novel forms of energy transfer between them. Furthermore, we will continue and our groundbreaking work on site-controlled GaN/InGaN quantum dots and seek to couple the light-emission from these to high-finesse optical microcavities. We will support the above by complementary investigations into other UV-compatible materials including ZnO and diamond where the team already has expertise and collaborations.Both the microstructured LED and dot/microcavity devices will be used to study the selective interaction of light with biomaterials. On the one hand, 'digital optical chemistry' synthesis of custom biosensor micro-arrays will be undertaken, using a variety of substrates including UV-transparent polymers, sapphire and diamond. On the other, coupling of quantum dots/microcavity emission to such as proteins and amino acids will be investigated.
Organisations
Publications
Kuehne A
(2009)
Fluorescent Nanostructures: Direct Laser Writing of Nanosized Oligofluorene Truxenes in UV-Transparent Photoresist Microstructures (Adv. Mater. 7/2009)
in Advanced Materials
Kuehne A
(2009)
Direct Laser Writing of Nanosized Oligofluorene Truxenes in UV-Transparent Photoresist Microstructures
in Advanced Materials
Wu M
(2009)
Star-shaped oligofluorene nanostructured blend materials: controlled micro-patterning and physical characteristics
in Applied Physics A
Tsiminis G
(2009)
Low-threshold organic laser based on an oligofluorene truxene with low optical losses
in Applied Physics Letters
Othonos A
(2009)
Influence of surface-related states on the carrier dynamics in (Ga,In)N/GaN single quantum wells
in Applied Physics Letters
Zhang Y
(2011)
Large cross-section edge-coupled diamond waveguides
in Diamond and Related Materials
Lee C
(2007)
Micro-cylindrical and micro-ring lenses in CVD diamond
in Diamond and Related Materials
Patton B
(2012)
Optical properties of single crystal diamond microfilms fabricated by ion implantation and lift-off processing
in Diamond and Related Materials
Tian P
(2022)
AlGaN Ultraviolet Micro-LEDs
in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
McKendry J
(2010)
High-Speed Visible Light Communications Using Individual Pixels in a Micro Light-Emitting Diode Array
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
McKendry J
(2009)
Individually Addressable AlInGaN Micro-LED Arrays With CMOS Control and Subnanosecond Output Pulses
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Guilhabert B
(2012)
Sub-Micron Lithography Using InGaN Micro-LEDs: Mask-Free Fabrication of LED Arrays
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Rae BR
(2010)
A Vertically Integrated CMOS Microsystem for Time-Resolved Fluorescence Analysis.
in IEEE transactions on biomedical circuits and systems
Gong Z
(2007)
Matrix-Addressable Micropixellated InGaN Light-Emitting Diodes With Uniform Emission and Increased Light Output
in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
Gong Z
(2010)
Size-dependent light output, spectral shift, and self-heating of 400 nm InGaN light-emitting diodes
in Journal of Applied Physics
Guilhabert B
(2010)
Amplified spontaneous emission in free-standing membranes incorporating star-shaped monodisperse p-conjugated truxene oligomers
in Journal of Optics
Suyal H
(2008)
Light emitting polymer blends and diffractive optical elements in high-speed direct laser writing of microstructures
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Liu J
(2008)
Design of diffractive optical elements for beam shaping of micro-pixellated LED light to a tightly focused spot
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Guilhabert B
(2008)
Patterning and integration of polyfluorene polymers on micro-pixellated UV AlInGaN light-emitting diodes
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Rae B
(2008)
CMOS driven micro-pixel LEDs integrated with single photon avalanche diodes for time resolved fluorescence measurements
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Mackintosh A
(2008)
Novel polymer systems for deep UV microlens arrays
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Wang T
(2008)
The 310-340 nm ultraviolet light emitting diodes grown using a thin GaN interlayer on a high temperature AlN buffer
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Gong Z
(2008)
Efficient flip-chip InGaN micro-pixellated light-emitting diode arrays: promising candidates for micro-displays and colour conversion
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Belton C
(2008)
New light from hybrid inorganic-organic emitters
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Description | This platform grant had several major objectives under the umbrella of semiconductor-based hybrid structures for UV, covering the development of hybrid nitride/polymer devices, the creation of new polymer for the UV, investigation of digital optical chemistry and expansion of our activities for processing diamond. Novel energy transfer processes between nitrides and organic semiconductor were investigated; new DUV polymers developed; new UV direct writing systems demonstrated; and patented processing techniques (Ar/Cl2 etch) for diamond introduced. |
Exploitation Route | A patent was filed on DUV transmitting polymer encapsulants for DUV nitride LEDs. Patents were also filed in conjunction with Element Six Ltd on the Ar/Cl2 etching of diamond. The background work on GaN micro-LED devices supported the creation of University of Strathclyde spin-out mLED Ltd. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Diamond processing work developed in collaboration with Element Six Ltd. Gallium nitride work helped foster the creation of spin-out company mLED Ltd. Organics work resulted in a patent and further funding from Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept fund. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £571,863 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H004157/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,670,326 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F05999X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,226,680 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I029141/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,670,326 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F05999X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,226,680 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I029141/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £618,865 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G00014X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £571,863 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H004157/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £618,865 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G00014X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |