In the Open Technology Programme (OTP) call for proposals of NWO, Bruno Ehrler and Erik Garnett have received funding to carry out the research plan ‘Achieving Semiconductor Stability from the Ground Up’. The OTP call for proposals is open to excellent research aimed at the possible implementation of the results. In addition to the scientific contribution carried out by AMOLF, the following companies are involved: EDAX (a subsidiary of Ametek), CL Solutions (part of Delmic), and Amsterdam Scientific Instruments (ASI). The total project receives 1.1 million euros.

Research plan
Halide perovskites have emerged as the most exciting new semiconductor for optoelectronic devices (solar cells, LEDs, radiation detectors) over the last decade. Their performance matches or exceeds that of traditional semiconductors, but their relatively poor stability under a wide variety of stresses (chemical, electrical, light, heat) is limiting their commercialization. We will develop a new characterization tool that allows us to watch how halide perovskites change under light or electrical bias with nanometer spatial resolution. With this understanding, we will control the halide perovskite (in)stability either to eliminate degradation or make programmable materials that can be trained to reconfigure their properties according to the desired output.

Image: Crystal structure of the perovskite material. Source: AMOLF

To read more about OTP calls, please visit the website. 

Curious about how semiconductors are studied with cathodoluminescence? Check it out here.