Synthetic Routes to Main-Group Inorganic Solids

本项目重点研究新型固态无机材料的合成，包括器件级薄膜异质结构和纳米结构的外延生长。这些材料将在微电子学、光电子学和耐火陶瓷中得到应用。在材料设计和合成方面，这种努力的一个独特方面是能够主要通过分子化学建立精确的原子排列，从而克服由原子大小、电子水平填充和组成原子的电负性差异引起的热力学障碍，从而形成传统途径无法获得的新的亚稳材料。目标材料的范围包括：(a) C-Si-Ge-Sn系统中的新型半导体，用于将硅基微电子与光学元件集成；(b)基于主基团共价碳化物和氮化物的第四系宽带隙光学材料；(c)硅基超硬介电材料和含轻元素的类金刚石化合物。通过实验和理论方法对这些材料的电子结构、能带结构、光学、介电、力学和结构性能进行了深入的研究。这项工作非常适合为合成固态化学和材料科学领域的本科生、研究生和博士后研究人员提供广泛的准备和最先进的技能。这项研究在国家利益的重要领域具有重大影响的潜力，包括微电子和国防工业感兴趣的新型光学、半导体和超硬/超强材料等领域。该研究为新型器件化学和物理提供了基础知识，从而为高速计算机、全彩显示、通信和检测系统等新兴和未来技术做出了重要贡献。除了取得包括美国和国际专利在内的重大研究和技术成就外，该工作还为新一代的科学家和工程师提供了新材料制备和加工以及化学气相沉积艺术方面的研究生和博士后培训，这是微电子工业的重要领域。与当地工业的合作正在进行中，以开发用于硅基高速电子设备的材料，以及节能环保的新一代固态照明系统。该小组与德国、挪威、墨西哥和捷克共和国的研究人员保持国际合作和外联。

This project focuses on the synthesis of novel solid-state inorganic materials, including epitaxial growth of device-quality thin-film heterostructures and nanostructures. These materials will have applications in microelectronics, optoelectronics, and refractory ceramics. A unique aspect of this effort in materials design and synthesis is the ability to build in precise atomic arrangements primarily via molecular chemistry so as to overcome thermodynamic impediments arising from differences in atomic sizes, electronic level filling and electronegativities of constituent atoms and thereby form new and metastable materials that cannot be obtained by conventional routes. The range of target materials includes: (a) New semiconductors in the C-Si-Ge-Sn system, which are intended for integration of Si-based microelectronics with optical components; (b) Quaternary wide bandgap optical materials based on covalent carbides and nitrides of the main group; (c) Si based superhard dielectric materials and diamond-like compounds comprising light elements. The electronic structure, band structure, optical, dielectric, mechanical and structural properties of these materials are thoroughly investigated by experimental as well as theoretical methods. The work is well suited to provide broad preparation and state-of-the-art skills to undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral student researchers in synthetic solid-state chemistry and materials science.This research has significant potential for high impact in important areas of national interest including areas such as new optical, semiconducting, and superhard/ultrastrong materials, which are of interest to microelectronics and defense industries. The research provides fundamental knowledge in novel device chemistry and physics, and thus makes important contributions to emerging and future technologies such as, high-speed computers, full color displays and communication and detection systems. In addition to significant research and technological accomplishments which include US and international patents, the work provides graduate and postdoctoral training to new generations of scientists and engineers in the preparation and processing of new materials and in the art of chemical vapor deposition, which is a vital field in the microelectronics industry. Collaborations are ongoing with local industries to develop materials for use in silicon-based high-speed electronic devices as well as new generations of solid-state lighting systems that are energy efficient and environmentally safe. The group maintains international collaborations and outreach with researchers in Germany, Norway, Mexico, and the Czech Republic.