Strain microscopy for process and product optimization of opto-electronic materials

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Humanity's most important challenge for the 21st century is the development of renewable and sustainable energy sources. As a complementary step, we must also reduce our energy consumption while new renewable sources are being developed. As light for illumination accounts for ~20% of electricity use, significant gains can be realized by improving the efficiency of light sources. Current light sources suffer from use of toxic mercury or lead (in the case of compact fluorescent bulbs) or high cost and limited scalability (in the case of LEDs). Further improvements - simply, making better light bulbs - is an essential step towards addressing our energy challenges. Group IV Semiconductor Inc. is a Canadian high technology company that is developing new high-efficiency "light bulbs" based on light emitting elements or nanocrystals. This technology can generate light more efficiently than conventional bulbs, with significant advantages relative to compact fluorescent and LED technologies. To improve the manufacture of these devices, Group IV Semiconductor Inc. needs to better understand the role of strain in their light emitting materials. This strain affects the performance, lifetime and reliability of these solid state light emitting devices. We will use our strain microscopy to characterize strain in these devices, helping Group IV Semiconductor Inc. to improve their manufacture of these high efficiency light-emitting materials. This project uses the unique skills of the applicant team to develop the analytical tools that Group IV Semiconductor Inc. needs to develop and manufacture better solid state light bulbs. This will significantly enhance the competitive manufacturing of a value-added product that in addition will help address our serious energy resource challenges.