The research activity of the amorphous Silicon Devices and Systems (aSiDaS) group is focused on the study and applications of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) thin-film electronic devices in sensing and photovoltaics. Several innovative devices have been designed and realized for the detection of physical parameters (light, temperature, stress) and applied in integrated systems for biomolecular analysis. In particular, lab-on-chip systems for the real-time monitoring of DNA amplification and food quality control have been developed.
The research activity is carried out thanks to the availability inside the DIET of an area dedicated to “Microelectronic Technologies, Modeling and Characterization” comprising laboratories for the design, manufacture and opto-electronic characterization of thin film devices. In particular, the following features are available:
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a ultra-high vacuum Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system for the growth of hydrogenated amorphous silicon of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) (intrinsic and doped layers), amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC: H), silicon nitride and silicon oxide;
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Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols for wireless networks;
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a clean room where many of the basic processes of planar electronic technology, (metallizations, oxide depositions, thin film patterning with chemical attacks in acid baths and / or reactive plasma) are carried out;
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a yellow camera, dedicated to photolithography processes;
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a laboratory for the design of multilayer amorphous silicon structure and electronic circuits and for the modeling of thermal behavior and microfluidics of lab-on-chip;
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a laboratory for the optoelectronic characterization of thin film devices where current-voltage curves, quantum efficiency and impedance versus frequency characteristics are measured.
Available PhD research topics are the development of lab-on-chip system for biomolecular analysis and the development of new technologies for photovoltaics.
For further information on how to join, please contact the researchers at the aSiDaS lab: