Visionary approach to novel glasses

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Funded by the EPSRC the programme, led by Dr Richard Curry, aims to use the power of ion-implantation to modify the optical and electronic properties of amorphous semiconducting chalcogenide materials to provide a platform technology for future optoelectronic systems. The potential of these materials systems is already known in applications such as phase-change memory (e.g. DVDs), solar cells and non-linear optical components but the electronic and optical properties have never been successfully combined. The novel approach to be taken in this programme and the drawing together of a world leading team including Professor Stephen Elliott (Cambridge) and Professor Dan Hewak (Southampton) aims to do this for the first time. Speaking following the announcement of the award Dr Curry commented that ‘materials discovery and development has been a key factor in shaping the world in which we live. As existing materials used in modern optoelectronics are pushed to their limits of use we are excited by this opportunity to provide a new generation of materials that will shape the future technologies on which we will all rely’. Further details relating to the project and work undertaken in the ATI can be found at our website (www.surrey.ac.uk/ati) or by emailing Dr Curry (r.j.curry@surrey.ac.uk).