Micro/Nanoelectronics

Tyndall's research in Micro/Nanoelectronics is focused on the development of new materials, processes and characteristiation techniques for next-generation nanoelectronic devices.  The semiconductor industry is continuously scaling down the dimensions of transistors to develop faster and more energy-efficient devices.  The invention of Tyndall's junctionless transistor has demonstrated a completely new type of transistor that is easier to fabricate, especially at the very small dimensions that transistors will reach within the next 10 years.  Tyndall researchers are developing new materials that will enable these transistors to work much faster and use lower power than today's devices.

Areas of Expertise:

• Junctionless transistor
• Atomic layer deposition
• Nanowire synthesis and wafer bonding
• High-k dielectrics and characterisation

Photonics

Photonics is the underlying technology supporting today's worldwide telecommunications networks and the internet.  Increasingly, the amount of information which can be transmitted over existing networks is becoming limited by the performance of currently available technologies.  Researchers in Tyndall’s Photonics Centre have invented new systems that allow optical data to be transmitted directly to the consumer (“Fibre-to-the-home”) in highly energy-efficient ways and new techniques to increase the capacity of the network by using multiple colours of light to send information over a single optical fibre with minimal interference.  These new systems are critically dependent on the development of new generations of high quality semiconductor materials, novel devices, integrated photonic and electronic circuits and packaged sub-systems; areas in which Tyndall also has internationally-leading capabilities. In addition to communications, Tyndall is also pursuing the application of its photonic technologies in areas such as healthcare, computation and data storage.

Areas of Expertise:

• Quantum Optics
• III-Nitride and III-V Materials and devices
• Growth and physics of nanostructures
• Laser physics
• Photonic packaging and integration
• Photonic communications systems

Microsystems

Tyndall’s Microsystems research is focused on the development of innovative materials, devices, and hardware platforms to address key society challenges in healthcare energy management and maintaining the environment in which we live.  The enormous data-processing and data-transmission capabilities of modern integrated circuits enables the development of new devices for sensing, actuating (moving or switching things), and for harvesting power from the environment.  Tyndall has extensive capability to put devices together to make very small “microsystems” which can be employed in a wide range of applications

Areas of Expertise:

• Wireless sensor networks
• Energy harvesting systems
• Wearable/implantable electronics
• Life Sciences Interfaces 

Theory, Modelling, and Design

Tyndall research in Theory, Modeling and Design addresses investigation and analysis of new ideas and discoveries, prior to committing to an expensive practical implementation or development phase.  Tyndall focuses on the investigation of new materials and their properties for use in future electronic and photonic devices and systems.  This includes fundamental investigations and blue-skies research, as well as research to address problems of more immediate relevance.

Areas of Expertise:

• Materials physics and analysis
• Photonic materials and devices
• Electronic materials and devices
• Thin-film simulation
• Circuits and systems theory and design