6th ASCENT+ Newsletter – September 2022
Contents
| User Testimonial |  |
| Research Accelerator Programme |  |
| 1st Output from Transnational Access |  |
| Achievements through Joint Research Activities |  |
| Learn More with our Webinars |  |
User Testimonial
Dr. M. Simas Rackausas, from Kaunas University of Technology, works on sensors based on ZnO NWs.
His university lacks the equipment he needed to thoroughly complete his research. Thus, after successfully applying to the ASCENT+ Transnational Access Programme, he was able to conduct his experiments at the Tyndall National Institute in Ireland.
In his testimonial, Dr. Rackausas highlights the benefits of the ASCENT+ offer, for his project and more broadly.
University of Kaunas – TestimonialASCENT+ Research Accelerator
1st successful programme at Tyndall – Future events
The Research Accelerator Programme gives early career researchers an on-site hands-on introduction to the technology/facilities available through ASCENT+. The aim of the ASCENT+ Research Accelerator is to invite proposals for Transnational Access projects from early career researchers and act as a catalyst for their research.
Nanoelectronics Fabrication, Characterisation & Devices – September 6-8, 2022 at Tyndall National Institute (Ireland)
Six PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers were selected to attend advanced nanoelectronics technology accelerator programme at Tyndall. The ASCENT+ sponsored researchers have received an insight to nanofabrication and its associated processes to demonstrate the benefits of this access programme to help accelerate their own research.
Attendees: Aleksandra Chudzyńska (Academy of Sciences, Poland), Marcin Lelit (Warsaw UT, Poland), Scott Greenhorn (Grenoble INP, France), José Carlos Galdón (Univ. Granada, Spain), Dr Jorge Ávila (Univ. Granada, Spain), Nikolaos Vasileiades (Demokritos, Greece)
- Description
- This short course included lectures as well as visits to various fabrication and characterisation laboratories.
The topics covered included:- Nanofabrication: e-beam lithography, molecular doping, etching, and metal/dielectric deposition in the nanoscale.
- Characterisation techniques: electrical, optical and magnetic, physical
- Materials growth (ALD, CVD, MOVPE) and device fabrication (2D materials and quantum devices)
Upcoming ASCENT+ Research Accelerators
 | 2-3 March 2023 |
 | June 2023 |
 | September 2023 |
 | November 2023 |
First Output of Transnational Access!
GREAT NEWS!Successful results of the Transnational Access programme were published. On top of being a huge achievement for ASCENT+, they are also a significant breakthrough in the field of 2D Materials Research.
The talented and multi-disciplinary teams that made this discovery come from Tyndall National Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Michigan.
ASCENT+ played a huge role, as the institutions were able to share their infrastructures and thus complete their research collaboratively and more effectively.
|
M. Mattinen, F. Gity, E. Coleman, J.F.A. Vonk, M.A. Verheijen, R. Duffy, W.M.M. Kessels, and A.A. Bol, “Atomic Layer Deposition of Large-Area Polycrystalline Transition Metal Dichalcogenides from 100°C through Control of Plasma Chemistry”, Chem. Mater., 2022, 34, 16, pp. 7280–92. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.2c01154 (Open Access) |
Abstract
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, are intensely studied for applications in electronics. However, the difficulty of depositing large-area films of sufficient quality under application-relevant conditions remains a major challenge. Herein, we demonstrate deposition of polycrystalline, wafer-scale MoS2, TiS2, and WS2 films of controlled thickness at record-low temperatures down to 100°C using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. We show that preventing excess sulfur incorporation from H2S-based plasma is the key to deposition of crystalline films, which can be achieved by adding H2 to the plasma feed gas. Film composition, crystallinity, growth, morphology, and electrical properties of MoSx films prepared within a broad range of deposition conditions have been systematically characterized. Film characteristics are correlated with results of field-effect transistors based on MoS2 films deposited at 100°C. The capability to deposit MoS2 on poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates showcases the potential of our process for flexible devices. Furthermore, the composition control achieved by tailoring plasma chemistry is relevant for all low-temperature plasma-enhanced deposition processes of metal chalcogenides.
Achievements through Joint Research Activities
An important part of the EU funded ASCENT+ programme is the Joint Research Activities (JRA) between the members of the ASCENT+ consortium.
Their goal is to define and improve all the exchange protocols, data and methodologies necessary to provide an integrated Virtual Infrastructure. Moreover, Joint Research is undertaken to improve the state-of-the-art capability and technology platforms that play a crucial role in the Transnational and Virtual Access from the ASCENT+ Access Providers. They also enable core technology drivers such a quantum computing and nanoelectronic devices based on 2D materials. A final objective is to share world-leading expertise between academic researchers and the Access Providers.
One of the ASCENT+ Joint Research Activities is devoted to Advancing Nanostructures for Quantum Technologies and is led by Tyndall. The general objective of this JRA is to deliver better nanostructured material capable of quantum properties exploitable for quantum technologies.
Here, we highlight the development of quantum dot devices. Exploring new growth conditions, device fabrication and characterization, the aim is to tune the emission of single and entangled photons for quantum communication and quantum computing applications. This work is led by Tyndall with inputs from the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and Johannes Kepler University Linz.
Below, you can find some of the outputs from the Joint Research Activities of ASCENT+, done at Tyndall. Defined results to come from these collaborations will enhance the current offer of quantum dot emitters offered through our Transnational Access Programme (Cryogenic Photon Emitter – ASCENT+ Showroom)
| Monolithic piezo tuning of single pyramidal quantum dots was demonstrated |
The spectra below show how the excitonic features are tuned in two representative cases |
Monolithic GaAs lensing developing, as showed in the SEM image |
| In perspective the two approaches will be joined together |
Learn More with Our Webinars
Our next webinar will discuss all the benefits and advantages that the ASCENT+ programme offers to SMEs. Presented by Giorgos Fagas, ASCENT+ Programme Lead; Alesia Ramanishyna, EU Project Manager at Silicon Saxony; and Tony Maindron, Nanoelectronics Director at Minalogic. The webinar will include a testimonial from Fernando González Zalba, Lead Quantum Engineer at Quantum Motion, an SME that benefited from the ASCENT+ Transnational Access.
Programme
- Introduction of the EU-funded programme ASCENT+ and presentation of the Access Providers
- Giorgos Fagas – Tyndall National Institute – ASCENT+ Programme Lead
- Benefits and advantages for the SMEs
- Tony Maindron – Micro & Nano-Technologies Director at MINALOGIC Cluster
Alesia Ramanishyna – EU Project Manager at Silicon Saxony Cluster - Testimonial of a successful ASCENT+ TA project
- Fernando González Zalba – Lead Quantum Engineer at Quantum Motion, UK SME
For more details about this Webinar, follow this link or click HERE to register to attend.
Previous Issues:
May 2022 | Jan 2022 | Sep 2021 | Jul 2021 | Mar 2021
Jul 2019 / Apr 2019 / Jan 2019 / Oct 2018 / Jul 2018 / Apr 2018 / Jan 2018 / Oct 2017 / Jul 2017 / Apr 2017 / Jan 2017 / Sep 2016 / Jun 2016 / Feb 2016
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreements 871130 and 654384.