Terahertz Spectroscopy of Semiconductor Nanowires
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
Nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes and ZnO nano-particles are already being used in commercialproducts such as tyres and sunscreens. However, despite progress in understanding the mechanical andoptical properties of nano-materials we are still at the dawn of the fields of nano-optoelectronics andnano-photonics. Advances in understanding the fundamental materials science of these nano-materials todaywill therefore have a major impact on a wide range of commercial products over the next 30 years. One of thedifficulties with developing nano-optoelectronic components is the complexity of measuring their electricalproperties. Traditionally, new materials and devices have been tested via electrical transport measurements.Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to make electrical contacts on a 30nm diameter nano-wire or anano-particle. Indeed even if the contacts are made it is then difficult to separate the properties of thenano-material from those of the contact. Additionally, such measurements are plagued by reproducibilityproblems. Thus there is a pressing need for techniques that can quickly and reliably extract the electricalproperties of nano-structured materials. The availability of such techniques would greatly accelerate thedevelopment of new materials and allow devices based on these materials to be brought to the market sooner.We propose to solve these problems by applying the technique of optical pump terahertz probe spectroscopy(OPTPS) to semiconductor nano-wires, and by developing refined models to extract the most importantdevice-specific electrical properties from the measured data. The knowledge we gain will help us develop newoptoelectronic devices based on semiconductor nano-wires.
Publications
Yong CK
(2012)
Ultrafast dynamics of exciton formation in semiconductor nanowires.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Yong CK
(2012)
Strong carrier lifetime enhancement in GaAs nanowires coated with semiconducting polymer.
in Nano letters
Description | We have developed a non-contact way of measuring the electrical properties of nano-scale semiconductors. |
Exploitation Route | Quality control for semiconductor fabrication. Development of new functional nano materials. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy |
URL | https://www-thz.physics.ox.ac.uk/nanowires.html |
Description | Impact Acceleration Account Technology Fund |
Amount | £98,886 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K503769/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2013 |
End | 07/2015 |