Plasmas for Growth and Processing of Advanced Materials

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I run a diversified plasma research group focused on developing plasma techniques for fabricating and processing materials for a wide range of advanced applications. Plasmas are ionized gases, which in addition to being of fundamental interest in physics, have many important technological applications. Low-temperature plasmas generated using radiofrequency and microwave techniques are widely used for micro- and nano-fabrication; indeed modern computer and mobile device chips undergo multiple plasma processing steps during their fabrication. Plasma technologies are also extensively used in the fabrication of important optoelectronic and photonic devices such as solar cells and semiconductor lasers. Plasma processing technologies will therefore have a major role to play in the fabrication of advanced materials for new high-tech device applications. These new materials will in turn be the basis for new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) devices, for both terrestrial and space-borne applications, as well as new types of high-precision sensors.   Examples of advanced high-tech materials where our plasma techniques have contributed include N-doped diamond films for quantum sensor applications, doped graphene for device applications, and quantum-confined energy levels in silicon nanocrystals with application to silicon photonic devices. Further development of new plasma processing techniques in my research group has the potential to lead to new developments in photonics, such as improved blue and green gallium nitride (GaN) Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and a better understanding of radiation damage in acousto-optic modulator materials, which are important in many ICT applications. Another very exciting new application of plasma materials growth techniques is growth of N-doped diamond films for quantum information and sensing applications, including highly sensitive diamond NV-centre magnetometers. This could provide new sensing technologies for enhanced geophysical mineral prospecting, as well as measuring magnetic fields in Canada's Arctic, with significant benefits to Canada in terms of enhanced monitoring of the Northern environment. Another important application is the study of the effect of plasma ion bombardment on metals for high-tech applications in nuclear fusion reactors.   This Discovery Grant funded research will provide an advanced training opportunity for my graduate students, who will learn a wide range of technical skills relevant for high-tech industries. My students have found employment across a range of companies in the high-tech sector, as well as in academia. This research program will enable my diverse team of students from a wide range of backgrounds to thrive in their careers and be major contributors in new and growing sectors of the Canadian high-tech economy.