Science / Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and Université Grenoble Alpes Joint PhD: Novel Light-Emitting Quantum Dot Displays via Nanoparticle Beam
This scholarship is funded by Swansea University and Université Grenoble Alpes through Swansea University Strategic Partner Research Scholarship (SUSPRS) scheme.
Start date: October 2021
Subject areas: Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science
Supervisors: Professor Thierry Baron (UGA); Professor Richard Palmer and Dr Thierry Maffeis (SU)
Project Description:
Nanocrystals are defined as materials with sizes close to or below the Bohr radius of the bound state of an exciton. The quantum confinement effect is perhaps the most attractive characteristic of quantum dots (QDs), in which the motions of electrons and holes are spatially confined, and the electron and hole energy levels become discrete. The emission and absorption colour of the QDs can also be tuned by controlling their sizes and compositions; this provides access to solution-processable emitters and photodetectors covering ultraviolet (UV), visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Therefore, QDs have enabled several recent achievements in high mobility transistors, high-quantum-yield photodetectors, light-emitting devices and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. Probably the most popular application of semiconductor QDs is their use as red and green phosphors in white LEDs for displays, whilst the development of QDs for photodetectors has come a long way, especially for smartphone applications.
Project Aims:
In this context, the aim of the PhD work is to develop a sustainable method that ultimately allows the use of QDs in emitters, photodetectors, sensors and displays. The deposition of mass-selected nanoparticles from a beam in a vacuum represents a new paradigm for the creation of nanostructured materials with quantum properties. Heavy metal quantum dots, as synthesised by conventional but hazardous chemical routes, have recently found their way into high-resolution TV screens, but in this project we will explore the solvent-free synthesis and deposition of mass-selected Si and Ge semiconductor nanoparticle beams into polymer films, which is an innovative, environmentally friendly, embryonic manufacturing technology. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled with a resolution of one atom in 50 using the beam technology, and thus the colour of the emitted light will be highly tunable. The polymer film provides an electrically conducting host to feed the electroluminescence process with charge; plus protection and isolation of the nanoparticles. Atomic capping of the nanoparticles (e.g. with H atoms) during the synthetic process, to reduce non-radiative trap states, will be explored. The particles will be imaged to single-atom resolution by advanced TEM techniques. The semiconductor nanoparticles will be generated in Swansea, and deposited into conducting polymer films produced by Grenoble, whilst the photoluminescence and electro-luminescence studies will be shared. Specific devices will be realised in the Advanced Technological Platform (PTA) available in Grenoble. Complementary photoluminescence measurements will also be conducted at Swansea to establish universality.
The successful student will be based in Swansea for two years and Grenoble for one year, schedule to be agreed mutually. In Swansea, they will learn to operate and optimise the cluster beam deposition sources for semiconductor materials, and master the required characterisation techniques (notably TEM). In Grenoble, they will focus on photonic testing of the nanocluster-embedded polymer films. The student will be supervised professionally, providing short weekly reports to the supervisors in both universities, and giving quarterly oral presentations. The student will benefit from an open and dynamic research environment. Apart from the technical skills learnt from mastering the operation of highly specialised vacuum equipment (cluster sources), an array of state-of-the-art characterisation techniques, and a range of advanced and innovative nanofabrication skills, the student will also benefit from 120 hrs of courses during their stay at UGA. Additionally, the student will have the opportunity to attend courses at Swansea’s Academic and Professional Centre in order to develop transferable skills such as time/project management, data analysis, statistics, thesis writing, IP management, public engagement and poster/oral presentation.
The student will work at Doctoral School Electronics, Electrical Energy, Automatic Control, Signal Processing (EEATS) at Université Grenoble Alpes.
Established in 1920, Swansea University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Swansea (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Wales. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, Swansea University is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Swansea University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 99 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.