MRI: Acquisition of a cathodoluminescence (CL) detector for nanoscale defect and impurity analysis in a shared-user facility

MRI：采购阴极发光 (CL) 探测器，用于在共享用户设施中进行纳米级缺陷和杂质分析

• 批准号: 2216253
• 负责人: Yolande Berta
• 金额: $ 18.45万
• 依托单位: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-09-01 至 2024-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2216253&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; cathodoluminescence; CL; detector

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is a member of the NSF-supported Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC), an initiative for invigorating advances in nanotechnology. The designed-for-nanoscale research-grade cathodoluminescence detector is installed in a Georgia Tech shared-user analytical facility accessible to academic researchers, small and large companies, and NSF-supported training activities for educators and the public. Underserved minority, female, and assistant professors rely on this instrument, to further their advancements in nanotechnology. Researchers external to Georgia Tech employing the detector include those at Clark Atlanta University, a historically black university, and members of the University System of Georgia, namely Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia and nearby Georgia State University, a minority-serving institution. Other institutions within the state of Georgia access the detector through the scientific instrument-sharing project called the Georgia Research Alliance Core Exchange. The research projects, academic courses, training, and outreach exercises that tie in this sensitive detector provide opportunities for female and minority students to master technical skills. The number of students exposed to the techniques through academic instruction alone is well over 100 per year. The principal investigator leading the training activities has over 30 years’ experience with hands-on training of students and researchers. Cathodoluminescence (CL) occurs when natural and synthetic semiconducting materials emit light (luminescence) during high energy electron bombardment. The intensity and wavelength of the emitted light can be used to measure the physical structure, chemical composition, and nature of defects in a semiconducting material. When a CL detector is coupled to an electron microscope, measurements are possible down to the nanometer (10^(-9) m) scale. This novel approach is useful for a wide range of scientific and engineering applications, including: 1. determining the optical properties and defect structure of wide-bandgap semiconductors (e.g. GaN) for improving semiconductor fabrication and properties; 2. optimizing luminescence properties of ceramic polycrystalline materials (e.g. SiC) for miniaturizing electronic devices; 3. measuring the effects of radiation on extraterrestrial materials for the purpose of planning future space exploration, and 4. studying the structure and composition of natural materials for predicting the terrestrial occurrence of economically critical mineral resources, and refining climate and tectonic models of Earth.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

佐治亚理工学院 (Georgia Tech) 是 NSF 支持的东南纳米技术基础设施走廊 (SENIC) 的成员，该项目旨在促进纳米技术的进步，专为纳米级研究级阴极发光探测器安装在佐治亚理工学院的共用设施中。 -学术研究人员、小型和大型公司以及 NSF 支持的针对教育工作者和公众的培训活动的用户分析设施依靠此工具来进一步发展。佐治亚理工学院外部使用该探测器的研究人员包括克拉克亚特兰大大学（一所历史悠久的黑人大学）以及佐治亚大学系统的成员，即肯尼索州立大学、佐治亚大学和附近的佐治亚州立大学（少数族裔）。佐治亚州内的其他机构通过称为佐治亚研究联盟核心交换的科学仪器共享项目访问该探测器，与该敏感探测器相关的研究项目、学术练习课程、培训和外展活动为女性提供了机会。和少数民族学生掌握技术技能的学生人数。每年仅通过学术指导来了解这些技术的人数就远远超过 100 人。领导培训活动的首席研究员在对学生和研究人员进行阴极发光 (CL) 实际培训方面拥有 30 多年的经验。当与 CL 探测器耦合时，高能电子轰击期间发出的光的强度和波长可用于测量半导体材料中的物理结构、化学成分和缺陷性质。通过电子显微镜，可以进行纳米 (10^(-9) m) 尺度的测量，这种新颖的方法可用于广泛的科学和工程应用，包括： 1. 确定宽范围材料的光学特性和缺陷结构。 - 带隙半导体（例如 GaN），用于改进半导体制造和性能； 2. 优化陶瓷多晶材料（例如 SiC）的发光性能，以实现电子器件的小型化； 3. 测量辐射对电子器件的影响；地外材料，以规划未来的太空探索；4. 研究天然材料的结构和成分，以预测经济上关键的矿产资源在陆地上的出现，并完善地球的气候和构造模型。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并具有通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。