SBIR-STTR Award

Development of Silicon/Sapphire (Si/A12O3) Multilayers for Silicon Based Optoelectronic Applications
Award last edited on: 5/20/02

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$99,113
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
AF96-050
Principal Investigator
J Zborowski

Company Information

Gem Inc

12318 Advance Drive
Houston, TX 77006
   (713) 894-7159
   N/A
   N/A
Location: Single
Congr. District: 02
County: Harris

Phase I

Contract Number: F30602-96-C-0144
Start Date: 4/4/96    Completed: 10/4/96
Phase I year
1996
Phase I Amount
$99,113
In Phase I of this Small Business Innovation Research program we propose to investigate the fabrication of Si quantum well structures for optoelectronic applications, employing Al2O3 (sapphire) as the barrier material. The program will investigate the growth of Al2O3 epilayers on Si, Si epilayers on Al2O3, and elementary Si/Al2O3 multilayers. While Si and Al2O3 have differing crystal symmetries, (zincblende and rhombohedral respectively) the inplance atomic nets in the (111) plane of both crystal structures have the same atomic arrangement, permitting epitaxy of Al2O3 on Si(111) and Si on Al2O3(111). The structures will be grown by molecular beam epitaxy, with Al2O3 synthesized from an elemental aluminum cell and a N2O gas source. The resulting layers and structures will be characterized by a variety of techniques, including x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and magneto hall to assess the crystalline integrity of the layers and heterostructures, and the electrical properties of the Si layers. The Phase I results will be used to assess the potential of this material system for silicon based optoelectronic applications. If successful a silicon optoelectronic device (infrared laser) will be produced in Phase III.

Keywords:
Silicon Optoelectronic Devices Silicon Quantum Well Materials Growth

Phase II

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Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
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Phase II Amount
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