|
Research areas and facilities
-
Atomic
Fabrication Facility: making atomic scale devices in silicon
In addition to the fabrication of quantum computer prototype devices,
a new program has been established to exploit the technology developed
to build conventional transistors in silicon at the atomic level.
This program is developing atomic-scale devices in silicon with
applications appropriate to and beyond quantum computation, including
atomic-scale transistors, quantum wires and quantum circuits.
Fundamental concepts of dopant ordering, device reproducibility
and the key role that surface interface chemistry has on device
operation are being addressed in close consultation with leading
semiconductor corporations. The ultimate goal of this program
is to couple atomic-scale lithography in silicon with molecular
electronics.
-
Optoelectronics
Optoelectronics is an area of physics which is fundamental to
a number of applications, including the two fastest growing areas:
telecommunications and computers. In this group, we study novel
optoelectronic materials using various forms of laser spectroscopy.
Contact: Prof. Mike Gal,
Dr. Peter
Reece
-
Mesoscopic
Physics and Quantum
Electronic Devices
The QED group investigates how the laws of quantum mechanics completely
change the electrical and magnetic properties of nanoscale semiconductor
devces. Experiments with ultra-low noise electronics on nanostructures
cooled with dilution refrigerators to 0.01 Kelvin, in magnetic
fields up to 18 Tesla, allow exciting glimpses into the fundamental
physics of quantum wires and quantum dots, and are of potential
importance for the future of spintronics and nanoelectronics.
See the QED website for further details. Contact: Professor
Alex Hamilton, Dr.
Adam Micolich, Professor
Richard Newbury.
-
Microscopy
and Microanalysis
Microscopy and microanalytical techniques allow the microstructures
of technologically important condensed matter and their useful
properties to be investigated with high spatial resolution and
high sensitivity. Microscopy and microanalysis underpins developments
in nanoscience and technology. Contact A/Professor
Marion Stevens-Kalceff.
-
RESEARCH
FACILITIES AND COLLABORATIONS
-
Facilities
The department has an exceptional array of equipment housed in
eight dedicated laboratories:
-
Three
dilution refrigerators allow quantum effects to be studied
in nanoscale semiconductor devices under extreme conditions
(temperature down to 0.02K, magnetic fields to 17 Tesla, and
high pressures).
-
A Multiprobe
Scanning Tunnelling microscope with atomic resolution allows
atomic scale devices to be created and electrical measurements
to be performed in-situ
-
Two
Raman laser laboratories are used to study the properties
of strongly correlated electron systems in transition metal
oxide materials.
-
Photoluminescence
spectrometers and a femtosecond laser system are used to study
the optical properties of semiconductor quantum wells and
nanowires.
-
UNSW's
Semiconductor Nanofabrication Facility is housed in the same
building as the School of Physics, and provides full clean-room
facilities for fabricating silicon and GaAs devices with feature
sizes down to 10nm.
-
Nuclear
reactors in Australia and overseas are used to study structural
and magnetic properties of novel materials
-
Collaborations
Members of the Department collaborate extensively, including:
joint memberships with the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Computer
Technology, the Department of Theoretical Physics, and the Department
of Biophysics. The Department has a high profile internationally.
Students are encouraged to participate in international collaborations,
which include partners in Denmark, Germany, Italy, New Zealand,
Sweden, the UK and the USA.
|
