The University of Southampton

Theme:
Nanophotonics and Biomimetics

This project is to investigate an efficient modelling, fabrication and characterisation technique to realise a multifunctional integrated nanosystems for nanoelectronic and nanophotonic applications. A rigorous numerical modelling approach based on finite difference time domain method will be explored to simulate the semiconductor nanowire structures. Different semiconductor material (e.g. silicon and zinc oxide) will be investigated and assesed for its suitability for light guiding, absorption and non-linear effect for potential slow light application in optical communication and quantum opticical switching. The nanowire structure will be fabricated using bottom-up approach under different growth conditions to achieve the optimum structural and geometrical features. The photonic and electrical nanowire characterisation will be based on near field optical microscopy, broadband laser spectroscopy and dc semiconductor parametric analyser.

Primary investigators

  • Ehsan Jaberansary
  • Harold M H Chong

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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Theme:
Nanophotonics and Biomimetics
Funding:
Adventure in Research Grant

Current integrated nano-systems are inflexible due to bulky interfaces, with discrete circuit blocks thus robbing the system of portability. In this research, I propose a nano-device that could be applied to different research disciplines through performing sub task. This would be an extremely attractive concept, as it would enhance the adoption of new nanotechnologies by industry. This system will be small and readily portable and could be used in the field as well as in the laboratory for analysis purposes. This research proposal is aimed at a proof-of-concept study of utilising a novel nano resonant cavity based on photonic crystal and photonic wire technology that will eventually evolve into a monolithic nanoscale integrated ‘plug-and-play’ component for a variety of interdisciplinary systems. Applications would include bio-environmental-sensing, optical chip interconnects for a multidimensional nanophotonic-electronic integrated circuit board, light extraction unit, photon-assisted bio-medicine and imaging.

Primary investigator

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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Funding:
Adventure in Research Grant

Current integrated nano-systems are inflexible due to bulky interfaces, with discrete circuit blocks thus robbing the system of portability. In this research, I propose a nano-device that could be applied to different research disciplines through performing sub task. This would be an extremely attractive concept, as it would enhance the adoption of new nanotechnologies by industry. This system will be small and readily portable and could be used in the field as well as in the laboratory for analysis purposes. This research proposal is aimed at a proof-of-concept study of utilising a novel nano resonant cavity based on photonic crystal and photonic wire technology that will eventually evolve into a monolithic nanoscale integrated ‘plug-and-play’ component for a variety of interdisciplinary systems. Applications would include bio-environmental-sensing, optical chip interconnects for a multidimensional nanophotonic-electronic integrated circuit board, light extraction unit, photon-assisted bio-medicine and imaging.

Primary investigator

  • Harold M H Chong
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Date:
2008-2011
Theme:
Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-chip
Funding:
ORS

The oceans cover almost 75% of the planet and affect the lives of every plant and animal on earth. With global climate changing rapidly, the importance of studying the oceans has increased dramatically since they play a crucial role in global climate regulation. A Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensor is the primary tool for determining the physical properties of sea water. This project will present a conductivity sensor based on a 7-electrode cell, and a temperature sensor based on a platinum resistor bridge. Whilst, an impendence measurement system will also be present for collecting and storing the data form the CT sensor.

Primary investigators

Secondary investigator

  • xh08r

Associated research group

  • Nano Research Group
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Test chip (Integrated BPF and in wide tuning range PLL on standard digital CMOS technology)
Date:
2006-2009
Theme:
System design and RF
Funding:
Department

In this project, the spectrum monitor for cognitive radio is explored. The main challenge of the cognitive radio application is to draw a spectrum map covering a wide range of frequency fast and accurate enough while consuming lower power and keeping lower cost compared with main transceiver circuits, hence a unique receiver (spectrum monitor) must be designed. In this project, the target frequency range covers from 2GHz to 5GHz, which is a potential band for the cognitive radio, and the sensitivity/frequency resolution is to set to -80dBm/200kHz for strong signal detection of most communication systems.

To design such a RF system from system level, a novel method involving the concept of figure of merit is adopted to find a proper solution to balance different aspects of the receiver, including the performance, the power and the cost. By analysing the theory and the statistics collection for key blocks in RF system through years, this method can provide a general guide of trade-off between the power consumption and performance of receiver for the following several years and the trade-off among the performance.

Because of its unique application, some of the key blocks of the spectrum monitor are different from those in popular receivers. the low cost and high integration requirement prompt the design of a lumped element on chip passive band pass filter for IF selection. And a ring oscillator based digital tuning integer frequency synthesizer is designed to fulfill the wide tunig range and the low cost specifications. These components are designed on the 130nm standard digital CMOS technology to keep the lowest cost for portable devices.

The entire spectrum monitor system design involves the specially designed blocks(PLL, BPF) in circuit level simulations, fabrication and measurements as well as the collected existing blocks(such as wideband LNA, high linearity mixer, the base band low pass filter and ADC) since these components are more conventional. The trade-off and evaluation of the receiver solutions will be provided and analyzed.

Primary investigator

Associated research group

  • Nano Research Group
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Schematic view of the electrostatic levitation system.
Theme:
MEMs and NEMs
Funding:
EPSRC

The aim of this project is to levitate and manipulate micromachined objects of various sizes and shapes using electrostatic fields. The project is part of a multidisciplinary EPSRC project that aims to develop new laser ion sources. Recent experiments have demonstrated that high-power laser irradiation of micro-targets generates intense, high-energy beams of protons, ions, neutrons, electrons, gamma, and x-rays. This process requires micro-targets to be suspended without physical means of attachment, because such supports are known to perturb the ion-beam production mechanism and generate unnecessary debris. To achieve the vision of a target delivery system using micromachining technology, micromachined objects (material silicon) are levitated by electrodes against the force of gravity. This is achieved by rapidly applying pulses of voltages of constant amplitude to the levitation electrodes, depending on whether the disk has been displaced in positive or negative z-direction. A voltage of 10V is sufficient for a disk with diameter between 30-100 um. The same electrodes can capacitively measure in which direction the disk has been displaced, and then energise electrode so that a counterbalancing force is actuated on the disk. Other application areas of such a system are micromachined gyroscopes and accelerometers with levitated proof mass, RF systems, and electrostatic switches and actuators.

Primary investigators

  • mk1
  • is2
  • clc06r

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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Date:
2007-
Themes:
Nanophotonics and Biomimetics, Nanoelectronics

Inspired by nature's highly - evolved technique of producing antireflection in the eyes and wings of some species of moth, densely-packed pillars with heights and spacings of approximately 200 nm are created for use in solar cells. The effective refractive index gratings that are produced allow for broad range of wavelengths and angles of incidence to be antireflected efficiently. We are investigating ways to produce high quality antireflection layers on silicon using nanosphere lithography, a cheap, large-area and massively parallel self-assembly method.

Primary investigators

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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Date:
2006-2009
Theme:
Nanophotonics and Biomimetics
Funding:
Department

Planar waveguides are different from photonic crystal fibres (PCFs) in that planar waveguides require high nonlinear coefficient core material for achieving the desired nonlinear effects within a short distance of propagation. The most significant advantage of planar waveguides is their capability of integration with other components to constitute a building block in integrated optical circuits. The goal of this project is to design the planar waveguides with different geometries, including rib, ridge, taper, and photonic crystals, to achieve low cost on chip nonlinear devices that are capable to perform high efficiency nonlinear processes such as optical parametric amplification, supercontinuum generation (SCG), and etc.

Primary investigators

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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Date:
2006-2010
Theme:
Nanophotonics and Biomimetics
Funding:
Department

Planar waveguides are different from photonic crystal fibres (PCFs) in that planar waveguides require high nonlinear coefficient core material for achieving the desired nonlinear effects within a short distance of propagation. The most significant advantage of planar waveguides is their capability of integration with other components to constitute a building block in integrated optical circuits. The goal of this project is to design the planar waveguides with different geometries, including rib, ridge, taper, and photonic crystals, to achieve low cost on chip nonlinear devices that are capable to perform high efficiency nonlinear processes such as optical parametric amplification, supercontinuum generation (SCG), and etc.

Primary investigators

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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a) Example of the quadrupolar electrodes used in the project b) SEM picture of the particles.
Theme:
Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-chip

Particles can show a wide range of movement patterns according to the characteristic of the AC electric field applied: because of their induced dipole they can shift to high (or low) field regions, rotate or align to the field. Particle behaviour has a strong dependence on how freely ions can move along the surface. Functionalising the surface of the particle with biological molecules changes the current flow around the particle, modifying the direction and the speed of its motion. Using 4 electrodes, it is possible to induce a controlled movement of the particles, in our case we are working with orientation and rotation. The motion of the particle at different frequencies can be recorded with a computer and then analyzed to estimate surface electrical properties. Different chemical reactions on the surface will lead to different properties. The aim of the project is to detect binding events of antibodies and DNA to the particles, once they have been functionalised with the appropriate probe biomolecules.

Primary investigators

Associated research groups

  • Nano Research Group
  • Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
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