Materials / Processes

The Materials / Processes Program at IMS studies novel materials to be used to produce next generation hardware for use in various high tech sectors.

Novel III-V materials

The goal of the Novel III-V Materials Project is to develop the technical and scientific expertise required to exploit the potential of next-generation compound semiconductor materials. This will be evidenced by the demonstration of state-of-the-art devices, and the resulting technologies will be leveraged externally to benefit clients and collaborators.

Nanomaterials and fabrication

Over the next decade the current down-scaling rate of microelectronic components will bring device size to the nano-meter scale. On this scale the classical laws give way to laws of quantum mechanics. Joining the world-wide, multi-disciplinary effort in nano-science, spintronics and quantum information, this project will develop the techniques to fabricate semiconductor nano-structures, characterize their properties and explore their possible application in electronic and optical nano-devices.

Carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have remarkable properties (strength, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, aspect ratio, current capacity, ID density of states, diameter dependent semiconductor band-gap, etc.) and are, with their nanometer-scale widths, true "quantum wires". Nanotubes are widely expected to have an impact in electronics and there is great potential for optoelectronic applications. The goals of this project are to improve the nano-tube growth process, extend in-house characterization capabilities, and develop nanotube-based devices and fabrication techniques.

Advanced dielectrics

Ultimate use of this technology will be in a wide range of applications, notably fabrication of high performance microelectronic and optoelectronic devices and circuits. The objective of the project is to produce and analyze novel and improved dielectric films that will enhance the performance of these technologies. Sub-projects are: high-k dielectrics, Insulators for compound semiconductors and time-resolved Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).

Bio-Probes and Sensors

IMS has a series of special collaborative projects, which include work with the University of Singapore on magnetic nanostrucures and with Institutes at NRC on the study of novel sensing devices and processes.

Partners and Collaborators

• Acadia University
• Arizona State University
• ATMI Inc.
• Brown University
• CNRS (Bagneux)
• Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
• Canadian Space Agency
• Canadian Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Synchrotron Radiation Center, Madison WI)
• Communications Research Centre Canada
• Durham University, U.K.
• Erlangen University
• Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory
• Inorgtech, U.K.
• Institute for Biological Sciences
• Institute of Physics, Brazil
• Linköping University
• Max Planck Institute (Stuttgart)
• McGill University
• MuAnalysis Inc.
• NTT Basic Research Laboratories (Japan)
• National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan
• National Nano Device Lab., Taiwan
• Regensburg University
• Rochester University
• Simon Fraser University
• Singapore University
• Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences
• UMIST, U.K.
• University of Bayreuth
• University of British Columbia
• University of Dortmung
• Université de Montreal
• University of Ottawa
• Université de Sherbrooke
• University of Tokyo
• University of Toronto
• University of Erlangen, Germany
• University Politeknica, Romania
• University of Western Ontario
• Unipress (Polish Academy of Sciences)
• University of Washington
• Wroclaw University of Technology
• Wuerzburg University

Testimonial

"Our valued agreements with IMS allow us to have access to unique, state-of-the-art equipment facilities supported by excellent technical expertise, both essential elements to sustain accelerated, leading edge, R&D;/commercialization programs. The role and multifaceted services of NRC in support of technology development truly represent a competitive asset to the Canadian industry."

Dr. David Armstrong
CEO, IatroQuest Corp.

"My group's research on the optical properties and characterization of semiconductors has long profited from close interactions with researchers at IMS. Without the expertise in growth and materials characterization at IMS, we would never have been able to establish ourselves as, arguably, the forefront group working on the optical properties of SiGe alloys. In fact, without IMS, we would likely have not even entered the field."

Professor Mike Thewalt
Department of Physics
Simon Fraser University