RUI: Issues in Ultra Thin Film Growth on Group IV Semiconductors(Renewal)

这个RUI项目解决了与第四族半导体表面上硅基胺和乙基胺的吸附和非热电子和光子驱动解离相关的基础材料科学问题，以及它们作为低热预算环境中氮化膜生长前驱体的潜力。此外，该项目还包括研究金属原子在各种半导体表面外延生长过程中形成的金属纳米结构的自组装，以了解基本的形成机制。该合作项目利用广泛的沉积、表面光谱和纳米级成像仪器来解决这些问题。该项目旨在提高对半导体表面超薄膜和纳米结构形成的原子尺度过程的理解。越来越多的了解有望导致更广泛的科学和工程界开发最佳超薄膜和纳米结构制造技术的能力，这些技术是构建更快更小的电子设备所必需的。该项目涉及与电子和光子学有很强技术相关性的基础材料研究，并有效地将本科院校的研究和教育结合起来。通过将纳米材料研究纳入本科理工科教育课程，将对本科教育产生重大而高效的影响。通过相关的研究活动，布拉德利大学已建立的材料研究和教育本科课程将得到加强。研究环境的发展对许多学生的教育经历产生了重大影响。此外，通过与位于皮奥里亚的美国农业部国家农业利用研究中心以及位于德国埃森的杜伊斯堡-埃森大学的两个研究小组的合作，本科生的研究经历将受到校外研究人员的积极影响。另一个重要的影响将是在布拉德利物理系的科学家之间建立独特的合作关系，他们采用纳米材料研究的基本方法，而布拉德利和工业界的工程师则采用实用的应用科学方法。

TECHNICAL EXPLANATION This RUI project addresses fundamental materials science issues associated with adsorption and non-thermal electron and photon-driven dissociation of silyl- and ethyl-amines on Group IV semiconductor surfaces, and their potential as precursors for nitride film growth in a low thermal budget environment. Additionally, the project includes study of the self-assembly of metallic nanostructures that form during epitaxial growth of metallic atoms on various semiconductor surfaces to understand fundamental formation mechanisms. The collaborative project utilizes a wide array of deposition, surface spectroscopic and nanoscale imaging instrumentation to address these issues. The project aims for increased understanding of atomic scale processes governing the formation of ultra thin films and nanostructures on semiconductor surfaces. The increased understanding gained is expected to lead to the ability of the broader scientific and engineering communities to develop optimal ultra thin film and nanostructure fabrication techniques necessary for building faster and smaller electronic devices.NON-TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONThe project addresses fundamental materials research with strong technological relevance to electronics and photonics, and effectively integrates research and education at an undergraduate institution. Undergraduate education will be impacted in a significant and highly effective way through the integration of nanomaterials research into the undergraduate science and engineering education curriculum. The established undergraduate program in materials research and education at Bradley University will be enhanced through the associated research activities. The development of a research-rich environment has made a significant impact on the educational experience of many students. Also, the undergraduates' research experience will be positively influenced through exposure to off-campus researchers through collaborations with the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, and with two research groups at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Essen, Germany. An additional significant impact will be the establishment of unique collaborations between scientists in the Bradley Physics Department, who take a fundamental approach to nano-materials research, and engineers at Bradley and in industry, who take a practical, applied science approach.