• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2006

Optical characteristics of InGaAs quantum dot (QD) laser structures with an Al native oxide (AlOx) layer as a current-blocking layer were studied by means of photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation, and spatially-resolved micro-PL techniques. The InGaAs QD samples were first grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE), and then prepared by wet oxidation and thermal annealing techniques. For the InGaAs QD structures treated by the wet oxidation and thermal annealing processes, a broad PL emission due to the intermixing effect of the AlOx layer was observed at PL emission energy higher than that of the non-intermixed region. We observed a dominant InGaAs QD emission at about 1.1 eV in the non-oxide AlAs region, while InGaAs QD-related emissions at about 1.16 eV and $1.18{\sim}1.20eV$ were observed for the AlOx and the SiNx regions, respectively. We conclude that the intermixing effect of the InGaAs QD region under an AlOx layer is stronger than that of the InGaAs QD region under a non-oxided AlAs layer.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2009

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is one of the most promising next generation nanoelectronic devices which will inherit the throne of CMOS which is the domineering implementation technology for large scale low power digital systems. In late 1990s, the basic operations of the QCA cell were already demonstrated on a hardware implementation. Also, design tools and simulators were developed. Nevertheless, its design technology is not quite ready for ultra large scale designs. This paper proposes a new approach which enables the QCA designs to inherit the verification methodologies and tools of CMOS designs, as well. First, a set of disciplinary rules strictly restrict the cell arrangement not to deviate from the predefined structures but to guarantee the deterministic digital behaviors is proposed. After the gate and interconnect structures of. the QCA design are identified, the signal integrity requirements including the input path balancing of majority gates, and the prevention of the noise amplification are checked. And then the digital logic is extracted and stored in the OpenAccess common engineering database which provides a connection to a large pool of CMOS design verification tools. Towards validating the proposed approach, we designed a 2-bit adder, a bit-serial adder, and an ALU bit-slice. For each design, the digital logic is extracted, translated into the Verilog net list, and then simulated using a commercial software.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2016

Thin films synthesized by plasma processes have been widely applied in a variety of industrial sectors. The structure control of thin film is one of prime factor in most of these applications. It is well known that the structure of this film is closely associated with plasma parameters and species of plasma which are electrons, ions, radical and neutrals in plasma processes. However the precise control of structure by plasma process is still limited due to inherent complexity, reproducibility and control problems in practical implementation of plasma processing. Therefore the study on the fundamental physical properties that govern the plasmas becomes more crucial for molecular scale control of film structure and corresponding properties for new generation nano scale film materials development and application. The thin films are formed through nucleation and growth stages during thin film depostion. Such stages involve adsorption, surface diffusion, chemical binding and other atomic processes at surfaces. This requires identification, determination and quantification of the surface activity of the species in the plasma. Specifically, the ions and neutrals have kinetic energies ranging from ~ thermal up to tens of eV, which are generated by electron impact of the polyatomic precursor, gas phase reaction, and interactions with the substrate and reactor walls. The present work highlights these aspects for the controlled and low-temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapour disposition (PECVD) of Si-based films like crystalline Si (c-Si), Si-quantum dot, and sputtered crystalline C by the design and control of radicals, plasmas and the deposition energy. Additionally, there is growing demand on the low-temperature deposition process with low hydrogen content by PECVD. The deposition temperature can be reduced significantly by utilizing alternative plasma concepts to lower the reaction activation energy. Evolution in this area continues and has recently produced solutions by increasing the plasma excitation frequency from radio frequency to ultra high frequency (UHF) and in the range of microwave. In this sense, the necessity of dedicated experimental studies, diagnostics and computer modelling of process plasmas to quantify the effect of the unique chemistry and structure of the growing film by radical and plasma control is realized. Different low-temperature PECVD processes using RF, UHF, and RF/UHF hybrid plasmas along with magnetron sputtering plasmas are investigated using numerous diagnostics and film analysis tools. The broad outlook of this work also outlines some of the 'Grand Scientific Challenges' to which significant contributions from plasma nanoscience-related research can be foreseen.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.306-307
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• 2011

Franz Keldysh Oscillation (FKO)은 p-n 접합 구조의 공핍층(depletion zone)에서 전기장(electric field)에 의해 발생되며, Photoreflectance (PR) spectroscopy를 통하여 관측된다. InAs/GaAs 양자점 태양전지(Quantum Dot Solar Cells, QDSCs)에서 PR 신호에 대한 Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)을 통하여 FKO 주파수들을 관측할 수 있고, 각각의 FKO 주파수들은 태양전지 구조에 대응하는 표면 및 내부전기장(internal electric field) 들로 분류할 수 있다. InAs/GaAs 양자점 태양전지에서 AlGaAs potential barrier의 두께에 따른 내부전기장의 변화를 조사하기 위해, GaAs-matrix에 8주기의 InAs 양자점 층이 삽입된 태양전지를 molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) 방법으로 성장하였다. 양자점의 크기는 2.0 monolayer (ML)이며, 각 양자점 층은 1.6 nm에서 6.0 nm의 AlGaAs potential barrier들로 분리되어 있다. 또한 양자점 층의 위치에 따라 내부전기장 변화를 조사하기 위해, p-i-n 구조에서 양자점 층이 공핍층 내에 위치한 경우와 p+-n-n+ 구조에서 양자점 층이 공핍 층으로부터 멀리 떨어진 n-base 영역에 삽입하여 실험결과를 비교분석하였다. PR 실험결과로부터, p-i-n 구조에서 InAs 양자점 태양전지의 내부전기장 변화는 potential barrier 두께에 따라 다소 복잡한 변화를 보였으며, 이는 양자점 층이 공핍층 내에 위치함으로써 격자 불일치(lattice mismatch)로 발생된 응력(strain)의 영향으로 설명할 수 있다. 이러한 결과들을 각각의 태양전지 구조에서 표면 및 내부전기장에 대해 계산된 값들에 근거하여, p+-n-n+ 구조에서 양자점 층이 공핍 층으로부터 멀리 떨어진 영역에 삽입된 경우의 결과와 비교해 보면 내부전기장의 변화는 더욱 분명해진다. 즉, 양자점 층의 potential barrier의 두께를 조절하거나, 양자점 층의 위치를 변화시킴으로써 양자점 태양전지의 내부전기장을 조작할 수 있으며, 이는 PR 실험을 통해 FKO를 관측함으로써 확인할 수 있다.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2015

CdS-QD particles are a nano-sized semiconducting crystal that emits light. Their optical properties show great potential in many areas of applications such as disease-diagnostic reagents, optical technologies, media industries and solar cells. The wavelength of emitting light depends on the particle size and thus the quality control of CdS-QD particle requires accurate determination of the size distribution. In this study, CdS-QD particles were synthesized by a simple ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation method. As a particle stabilizer polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were added. In order to determine the size and size distribution of the CdS-QD particles, sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SdFFF) was employed. Effects of carious parameters including the the flow rate, external field strength, and field programming conditions were investigated to optimize SdFFF for analysis of CdS-QD particles. The Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis show the primary single particle size was ~4 nm, TEM images indicate that the primarty particles were aggregated to form secondary particles having the mean size of about 159 nm. As the concentration of the stabilizer increases, the particle size tends to decrease. Mean size determined by SdFFF, TEM, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were 126, 159, and 152 nm, respectively. Results showed SdFFF may become a useful tool for determination of the size and its distribution of various types of inorganic particles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.187-187
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• 2013

양자점(Quuantum dot, QD)은 0차원 특성을 가지는 구조로 양자 구속 효과로 인하여 bulk와 는 다른 구조적, 광학적, 전기적 특성을 가지고 있다. InAs QD는 size와 barrier의 bandgap 조절을 이용하여 쉽게 bandgap을 바꿀 수 있는 장점이 있어 solar cell, semiconductor laser diode, infrared photodetector 등으로 많은 연구가 이루어지고 있다. 일반적으로 Stranski-Krastanov (SK) mode로 성장한 InAs QD는 보통 GaAs epilayer와의 lattice mismatch (7%)를 이용하여 성장을 하고 이로 인하여 strain을 가지고 있고 QD의 density와 stack이 높을수록 strain이 커진다. 하지만 sub-monolayer (SML) QD 같은 경우 wetting layer가 생기는 지점인 1.7 ML이하에서 성장되는 성장 방식으로 SK-QD보다는 작은 strain을 가지게 된다. 또 QD의 size가 작아 SK-QD보다 큰 bandgap을 가지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 분자선 에피택시(molecular beam epitaxy, MBE)를 이용하여 semi-insulating GaAs substrate 위에 InAs QD를 0.5/1/1.5/1.7/2/2.5 monolayer로 성장을 하였다. GaAs과 InAs의 성장온도와 성장속도는 각각 $590^{\circ}C$, 0.8 ML/s와 $480^{\circ}C$, 0.2 ML/s로 성장을 하였으며 적층사이의 interruption 시간은 10초로 고정하였고 10주기를 성장하였다. Photoluminescence (PL)측정 결과 SML-QD는 size에 따라서 energy가 1.328에서 1.314 eV로 약간 red shift를 하였고 SK-QD의 경우 1.2 eV의 energy정도로 0.1 eV이상 red shift 하였다. 이는 QD size에 의하여 energy shift가 있다고 사료된다. 또 wetting layer의 경우 1.41 eV의 energy를 가지는 것으로 확인 하였다. SML-QD는 SK-QD 보다 반치폭(full width at half maximum, FWHM)이 작은 것은 확인을 하였고 strain field의 감소로 해석된다. 하지만 SML-QD의 경우 SK-QD보다 상대적으로 작은 PL intensity를 가지고 있었다. 이를 개선하기 위해서는 보다 높은 QD density를 요구하게 되는데 growth temperature, V/III ratio, growth rate 등을 변화주어서 연구할 계획이다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic devices, especially solar cells, because of their tunability of the optical band-gap controlled by adjusting the diameter of NQDs. PbS is a IV-VI semiconductor enabling infrared-absorption and it can be synthesized using solution process methods. A wide choice of the diameter of PbS NQDs is also a benefit to achieve the quantum confinement regime due to its large Bohr exciton radius (20 nm). To exploit these desirable properties, many research groups have intensively studied to apply for the photovoltaic devices. There are several essential requirements to fabricate the efficient NQDs-based solar cell. First of all, highly confined PbS QDs should be synthesized resulting in a narrow peak with a small full width-half maximum value at the first exciton transition observed in UV-Vis absorbance and photoluminescence spectra. In other words, the size-uniformity of NQDs ought to secure under 5%. Second, PbS NQDs should be assembled carefully in order to enhance the electronic coupling between adjacent NQDs by controlling the inter-QDs distance. Finally, appropriate structure for the photovoltaic device is the key issue to extract the photo-generated carriers from light-absorbing layer in solar cell. In this step, workfunction and Fermi energy difference could be precisely considered for Schottky and hetero junction device, respectively. In this presentation, we introduce the strategy to obtain high performance solar cell fabricated using PbS NQDs below the size of the Bohr radius. The PbS NQDs with various diameters were synthesized using methods established by Hines with a few modifications. PbS NQDs solids were assembled using layer-by-layer spin-coating method. Subsequent ligand-exchange was carried out using 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) to reduce inter-NQDs distance. Finally, Schottky junction solar cells were fabricated on ITO-coated glass and 150 nm-thick Al was deposited on the top of PbS NQDs solids as a top electrode using thermal evaporation technique. To evaluate the solar cell performance, current-voltage (I-V) measurement were performed under AM 1.5G solar spectrum at 1 sun intensity. As a result, we could achieve the power conversion efficiency of 3.33% at Schottky junction solar cell. This result indicates that high performance solar cell is successfully fabricated by optimizing the all steps as mentioned above in this work.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.586-591
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• 2010

Solar cells have been more intensely studied as part of the effort to find alternatives to fossil fuels as power sources. The progression of the first two generations of solar cells has seen a sacrifice of higher efficiency for more economic use of materials. The use of a single junction makes both these types of cells lose power in two major ways: by the non-absorption of incident light of energy below the band gap; and by the dissipation by heat loss of light energy in excess of the band gap. Therefore, multi junction solar cells have been proposed as a solution to this problem. However, the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ generation solar cells have efficiency limits because a photon makes just one electron-hole pair. Fabrication of all-silicon tandem cells using an Si quantum dot superlattice structure (QD SLS) is one possible suggestion. In this study, an $SiO_x$ matrix system was investigated and analyzed for potential use as an all-silicon multi-junction solar cell. Si quantum dots with a super lattice structure (Si QD SLS) were prepared by alternating deposition of Si rich oxide (SRO; $SiO_x$ (x = 0.8, 1.12)) and $SiO_2$ layers using RF magnetron co-sputtering and subsequent annealing at temperatures between 800 and $1,100^{\circ}C$ under nitrogen ambient. Annealing temperatures and times affected the formation of Si QDs in the SRO film. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that nanocrystalline Si QDs started to precipitate after annealing at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for one hour. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images clearly showed SRO/$SiO_2$ SLS and Si QDs formation in each 4, 6, and 8 nm SRO layer after annealing at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for two hours. The systematic investigation of precipitation behavior of Si QDs in $SiO_2$ matrices is presented.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics D
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• v.36D no.10
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• pp.23-30
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• 1999

We experimented on the sub 50nm patterning using E-beam lithography system. SAL601 negative E-beam resist was used for this experiment. In order to utilize the maximum ability of E-beam system, firstly, we reduced the PR thickness to 100nm, and the field size to 200 ${um}m$. Then PEB (Post Expose Bake) time/temperature, which is one of the very important factors when SAL601 is used, were reduced for minimum line width. In addition, digitizing is optimized for better results. Quantum wire and quantum dot which can be used for nanoscale memory device, such as single electron memory device, are fabricated using these developed lithography techniques.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.189-189
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• 1999

초미세 전자 소자에 대한 개발에 대한 요구는 최근 들어 원자 단위의 구조물 제작에 대한 연구로까지 나아 가게 하고 있다. 좋은 물리적 성장을 가지는 양자도선(quantum wire), quantum dot와 같은 nano 단위 구조물 제작에 대한 요구는 그 가능성의 하나로 , 기울어진 vicinal) 표면위에서의 박막 성장에 대한 연구로 이어지고 있다. 기울어진 표면은 한 원자층으로 된 많은 계단들을 가지고 있는 표면이고, 이러한 계단들의 존재는 박막 성장 시 흡착 원자가 계단 끝에 부착될 확률을 증가 시켜, stepflow 성장과 같은 준 층별 성장을 만들 가능성을 높여주며, sub-ML증착에 대해서 원자가 계단면을 따라 길게 늘어선 양자도선과 같은 성장이 가능한 표면이라는 점에서 관심을 갖게 한다. 그러나 최근의 연구들에 의하면 기울어진 표면 위에서의 성장도 Schwoebel 장벽과 같은 분산 장벽의 존재로 계단과 수직인 축 방향으로 거친 모양의 island가 형성되는 Bails-Zangwill 불안정성이 나타나는 것으로 보고되고 있고, 이것은 준 층별 성장이나 양자 도선과 같은 성장을 방해하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이러한 불안정성을 해결할 가능성으로 최근 들어 한 계단의 높이가 큰 step bunching 이 생겨난 표면위에서의 성장이 제기 되고 있으나, 아직 확인되지 않았다. 본 연구는 이러한 기울어진 표면 위에서 박막을 성장 할 때 층흐름(step flow) 성장이 가능한 역학적 동역학적 조건을 구하고자 하며, 방법으로는 KMC 시뮬레이션을 이용한다. 단원자로 구성된 계단이 있는 기울어진 표면 위에서의 homoepitaxy의 경우, 성장 양식은 계단과 계단 사이의 테라스 간격에 크게 의존한다. 테라스 간격이 좁을수록 성장은 보다 층흐름 성장에 근접한다. 그러나 다층으로 성장시킨 시뮬레이션의 결과는 일반적인 장벽 조건 아래에서는 계단의 방향과 수직인 방향으로 평평한 면에서와 동일한 크기를 가지는 island가 성장하는 것을 볼 수 있고, 이 것은 Bails-Zangwill 불안정성이다. 그러나 계단 사이의 테라스 간격이 매우 좁은 경우 5-6ML 성장 이하에서는 층흐름 성장과 동일한 성장이 이루어지나 계단을 따라서 미소한 크기의 거칠기가 나타난다. 동일한 기울어진 경사면에 대해서는 분산속도가 좋을수록 보다 계단 면을 따라 보다 큰 크기의 island가 나타난다. 분산 장벽과 같이 동역학적인 요소만으로는 완벽한 층흐름 성장은 높은 온도, 극히 낮은 분산 장벽이라는 조건 이외에는 얻기 어렵다. 그리고 층흐름 성장의 가능성으로 제시된 step bunching 일 일어난 다층 높이의 계단을 가진 면도 다층의 수만큼 계단수를 늘려주는 것과 동일한 결과가 나타나며, 이 경우도 층흐름 성장에는 근접하지만 완전한 형태의 성장은 얻기는 역시 어렵다. 따라서 원자단위의 도선이나 층흐름 성장은 계단과 계단 사이의 인력 또는 척력과 같은 역학적인 요소를 고려할 때 만이 가능할 것으로 보인다.