CD laboratory at TU Graz researches new semiconductor materials
Using energy- and resource-saving methods, a research team at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at TU Graz aims to enable high-quality doped silicon layers for the electronics and solar industries.
The global production of semiconductors is growing rapidly and with it the demand for intermediate products, especially crystalline silicon. However, only a quarter of the raw silicon used in its energy-intensive production can be used. This leads to large amounts of waste. In the "Christian Doppler Laboratory for New Semiconductor Materials Based on Functionalized Hydridosilanes" opened recently, a team led by laboratory manager Michael Haas from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at Graz University of Technology is researching alternatives: Funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics, the researchers, together with corporate partner Air Liquide Advanced Materials, are exploring new starting materials for the more energy-efficient production of semiconductors. The focus is on the processing of functionalized hydrosilanes. These are chemical compounds that are primarily made up of silicon and hydrogen atoms.
Ministry of Labor and Economics promotes research into new semiconductor materials
Labor and Economics Minister Martin Kocher, whose ministry contributes significantly to the public financing of the CD laboratories: "Semiconductors are key technologies for the location. In recent years, Austria has been able to establish itself as an important research and production country for microelectronics. This secures high-quality jobs and strengthens competitiveness. The CD laboratory, which opened today, is researching premium semiconductors for the computer industry and promoting technological advancement. Hydrosilanes in particular are considered a promising material for the future. Research into their chemical properties is creating the basis for new, innovative semiconductor materials. Everyone involved benefits from this, especially Austria as a high-tech location."
"The great advantage of hydrosilanes is that these compounds are unstable at temperatures above 300 °C or when exposed to UV light. The relatively weak bonds between the silicon atoms then break within minutes," explains laboratory manager Michael Haas. "Liquid phase deposition can be used to obtain silicon that is suitable for solar cells or semiconductor applications." Due to the low temperature, the energy consumption of this process is comparatively low. There is a considerable need for research into the use of functionalized hydrosilanes for the production of doped silicon films; these are silicon layers that are enriched with so-called "foreign atoms" in order to specifically influence the material properties.
To close this gap, the researchers will produce and characterize novel functionalized hydrosilanes and then process them into doped silicon layers using various deposition techniques. Finally, they will determine the relevant parameters of these new semiconductor materials, including their morphology, conductivity, absorption properties and element distribution. "Our goal is to develop new methods to enable the production of versatile silicon-based semiconductor materials in an energy- and resource-efficient manner. Industry, end customers and the environment would benefit equally from this," says Michael Haas.
About the Christian Doppler Laboratories
Christian Doppler Laboratories conduct application-oriented basic research at a high level, with outstanding scientists cooperating with innovative companies. The Christian Doppler Research Society is internationally regarded as a best practice example for promoting this cooperation. Christian Doppler Laboratories are jointly funded by the public sector and the companies involved. The most important public funding body is the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics (BMAW).
