BISMIDES semiconductor nanostructures and novel materials for mid infrared applications

Abstract

Dilute-bismide compounds of the form III-Bi-V are a prospective class of 'highly mismatched' alloys (HMAs) in which a small fraction of the host atoms is replaced by a very different element, i.e. another group III or V atom. Bismides have been predicted to provide new fundamental material physics that could lead to significant enhancement in the perfor-mance of optoelectronic and photonic devices and in general to new applications, particularly for near and mid infrared wavelengths. The overall understanding of the interplay between the fundamental properties of semiconductor nanostructures relevant for devices and material fab-rication aspects has to be significantly advanced. Amongst these properties the structural and optical properties are seen as essential for a large class of emerging devices where bismides can provide new solutions in the infrared energy range, such as solar cells, sensors and lasers. Bi-MIR project aims at breakthrough developments concerning the technology and applications of emerging III-Bi-V materials and nanostructures. We do this by combining the state-of-the-art material synthesis and device fabrication facilities available at Nottingham University - UoN (British partner) with the broad expertise concerning the characterization of structural and optical properties of semiconductor materials available at UFSCar (Brazilian partner). This research project will benefit the ongoing researches on synthesis as well as optical and struc-tural characterization of nanostructures, opening new opportunities to strengthen the collabo-ration between a young Brazilian researcher, Prof. Helder Galeti, and a senior research from UK, Prof M. Henini, that have collaborated for many years without a formal support. During this time, very interesting data related to spin effects, transport an optical properties in semi-conductor nanostructures were obtained and published in high impact international journals. The establishment of a formal partnership between the researchers will deepen and open new research fronts in the field of nanostructured semiconductor materials. (AU)