Research Interests Fundamental luminescent materials Visible emission from oxide phosphor materials Zn2Si04:Mn, Ga203:Eu and related compounds is being studied under electroluminescence, photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence. Thin films of these oxide phosphors are being grown by RF sputtering, on glass and ceramic substrates. Defects in II-VI phosphors are being studied to determine the relationship between point defects and luminescence in these materials.
This work shows for the first time that thin films of oxide phosphors can achieve bright EL emission using thin film dielectrics on smooth substrates.
Commercial brightness and efficiency values achieved on glass substrates with the new green phosphor achieved stable operation of Zn2Si0.5Ge0.5O4:Mn thin films paving the way for industrial use of these materials.
New luminescent devices A new and unique type of luminescent “Sphere Supported Thin Film Electroluminescent” (SSTFEL) device has been developed. This involves spherical ceramic particles coated with a thin film semiconductor phosphor material, and then embedded in a polymer sheet. Flexible light emitting sheets are enabled, which are capable of long life, high brightness performance. A photograph of a recent prototype is shown below:
New avalanche injection Devices Two new research projects involve avalanche-injection electroluminescence. Here, electrons are injected into a semiconductor using high electric fields. High efficiency and low voltage EL devices suitable for flexible display devices may be realized by this research. Two PhD student projects on this are being started.
Optical Fiber Liquid Crystal Display Technology: A new type of display using the combination of a uniquely woven optical fiber array, light emitting diodes, and liquid crystal-based light modulation achieves an intense full colour display suitable for public information in the form of an electronic poster. New optical components are being developed to optimize the performance of this system.
TECHNICAL ELECTIVE LIST A 3 unit(s) Fundamental properties of materials used in electronic applications, operation of devices and fabrication methods of electronic circuits and packaging. Includes description of dielectric, magnetic and optoelectronic properties. Three lectures; second term Prerequisite(s): One of MATLS 2Q04, ENG PHYS 2QM3; or permission of the department Anti-requisite(s): ENG PHYS 3PN4
Instructor
Dr. Adrian Kitai
devices (LEDs, high electron mobility transistors), quantum dots, quantum wires, graphene, emerging nanoscale materials and devices. Nanoscale semiconductor materials and devices including quantum confinement, quantum dots, dipole radiation, quantum radiation physics, molecular and bulk excitons, advanced molecular electronics, tight-binding modelling, emerging nanoscale MOSFETs, 2-dimensional metal dichalcogenides and graphene. Three lectures; second term Prerequisite(s):Credit or registration in at least one of the following: ENGPHYS 3F03, 3PN4, MATLS 2Q03, 3Q03 Cross-listed: ENGPHYS 4MD3 / ENGPHYS 6MD3
devices (LEDs, high electron mobility transistors), quantum dots, quantum wires, graphene, emerging nanoscale materials and devices. Nanoscale semiconductor materials and devices including quantum confinement, quantum dots, dipole radiation, quantum radiation physics, molecular and bulk excitons, advanced molecular electronics, tight-binding modelling, emerging nanoscale MOSFETs, 2-dimensional metal dichalcogenides and graphene. Three lectures; second term Prerequisite(s):Credit or registration in at least one of the following: ENGPHYS 3F03, 3PN4, MATLS 2Q03, 3Q03 Cross-listed: ENGPHYS 4MD3 / ENGPHYS 6MD3
Design and synthesis projects supervised by a faculty member in the Department of Engineering Physics. Lectures, tutorials, labs, one capstone project; both terms Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final level of an Engineering Physics program https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/engphys/4a06-capstone-project-gallery
Basic magnetic properties of materials, magnetic structure, domains, critical behavior at the ordering temperature, soft and hard magnetic materials. Ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric and optical properties of materials.Capacitor materials.Semiconductors.Materials for energy storage and generation. Materials selection and design. Nanocomposites. 3 unit(s)
Instructor
Dr. Adrian Kitai
2 unit(s) A sequence of experiments to investigate and study a wide range of thin film growth methods and applications including vacuum deposition, electrodeposition, spin coating, sol gel, and sacrificial oxidation. One lecture, one lab (three hours) Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final Level of a Materials Engineering program Antirequisite(s): MATLS 4L02, MATLS 4L04
