Currently the development of nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors and high-k dielectrics and studies on their multi-functional properties and their correlations are globally a frontline research area for the realization of cost effective and environ friendly technologies of energy harvesting and storage for powering micro and nano-electronic devices and highly energy efficient non-volatile data storage and light sensing technologies such as resistive switching memories and deep UV photodetectors. Besides commercial applications, the nanostructured metal oxide based devices also have potential applications in ’hot’ areas with nuclear radiation and harsh environments, because they are highly resistant to radiation damage and chemically more stable compared to other cotemporary materials.

At Oxide Nano-Electronics Laboratory (ONEL), we have strong research activity on the growth of epitaxial thin films, nanostructured multilayers and quantum structures of technologically important oxide semiconductors and high-k dielectrics using contemporary features of Pulsed Laser Deposition and Atomic Layer Deposition techniques and their characterizations (structural, optical and electrical) for transparent electronics, logic & memory devices, deep UV photodetectors, vibration energy harvesting and energy storage applications. Dedicated growth and device fabrication facilities, clean room, characterization facilities for thin films and devices pertinent to aforesaid research areas are available in-house. Details of our research and important findings are briefly presented below:

Research areas

• Resistive switching in metal oxide nanostructures for non-volatile memory applications
• Ternary alloys and quantum structures of ZnO for UV-blue photonic applications
  • Epitaxial growth of ZnO
  • Ternary alloys for engineering ZnO bandgap
  • Multiple quantum wells and quantum dots of ZnO
• Nanostructured ZnO for vibration energy harvesting
• Ultrathin high-k dielectric oxides for logic devices
• Metal oxide multilayers and nano-laminates for energy storage applications
• Doped ZnO thin films for transparent electronics
• Other technologically important materials