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.
6 unit(s) Engineering design capstone project synthesizing undergraduate Engineering Physics knowledge to select a meaningful real-world problem, and engineer a solution by mathematically modelling the impact of design decisions and implementing them physically as part of an engineering team.
Two labs (three hours each), one capstone project; both terms
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final level of the Engineering Physics, Engineering Physics and Management, or Engineering Physics and Society program and credit in ENGPHYS 3L04 and either ENGPHYS 3BB3 or ENGPHYS 3BB4
From time to time, modules will be offered on subjects of interest to the Department faculty. The Special Topic for 2024/2025 is Nanoscale Semiconductor Materials and Applications. (3 units)
This introductory course is intended for Materials Science and Engineering graduate students seeking knowledge of the Electronic Properties of Materials at the graduate level. Coverage includes magnetic and dielectric materials with an emphasis on semiconductor materials.
Students wishing to further extend their knowledge can take follow-on course Materials 792 offered in January 2025 covering Nanoscale Electronic Materials and Applications
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
Instructor
Dr. Adrian Kitai
4 unit(s) An introduction to the electronic structure and properties of materials: electrons and their behavior in vacuum and in a crystal lattice, electronic structure of elements, crystal bonding, free electron theory of metals and band structure of solids, electrical and thermal properties of solids. Three lectures, one lab (three hours); first term Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above in Materials Engineering
