Acquisition of an Organic Semiconductor Processing and Characterization Facility for Research and Student Training

Kent State University, Kent OH

Investigators

Abstract

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program to Kent State University supports the acquisition of a glove box system for an organic semiconductor processing and characterization facility. Organic semiconductors will play a central role in a variety of scientifically and technically important processes and devices including xerography, light emitting diodes, photovoltaics, thin film transistors and photorefractive media. The physical properties of these organic and organic-inorganic hybrid materials often differ significantly from those of the well known inorganic semiconductors. In order to understand the basic physical properties of these organic materials a facility for purification, deposition and device fabrication with time of flight and microwave conductivity/mobility analytical capabilities is being assembled. This facility will permit the creation of device structures from novel materials in a highly controlled environment so that the intrinsic properties can accurately and reproducibly be examined. The facility will be ideal for student training as it provides a highly interdisciplinary This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program to Kent State University supports the acquisition of a glove box system for an organic semiconductor processing and characterization facility. Organic semiconductors present major and largely unexplored opportunities for the improvement of a variety of electronic devices. To exploit these materials a sophisticated facility comprised of several components for the characterization of novel materials and systems based on organic molecules is being assembled. A glove box with an integrated and highly versatile thin-film deposition system will provide a clean environment for material purification and device (e.g., field effect transistor) fabrication. These novel systems will then be evaluated using state-of-the art electronics and optical characterization tools including tunable laser sources, microwave conductivity instrumentation and a powerful temperature-dependent x-ray diffractometer for structural determination. These facilities will provide a rich interdisciplinary training environment for students and post-doctoral researchers.