The team carries out research in materials science having expertise in the structural characterization of binary and ternary semiconductors and thin multilayered films relevant to the electronic industry, and high-temperature alloys used in aeronautical applications. These studies are performed in collaboration with other national and international teams.
The main techniques used by the team are X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectometry, electron microscopy and small-angle neutron scattering. Development of scientific instrumentation, including remote control, data acquisition and analysis software is another important field of activity of the team.
Recently, a high-temperature X-ray diffractometer was built, the Hotbird, being now the main tool for in-situ characterization of materials from room temperature to high temperature. The main activities carried out in the Ma3T Laboratory involves the study of the following:
Semiconductors
- SinGem superlattices
- Si1-xGex heterostructures
- InGaN for optoelectronic applications
- Implanted GaN - blue light emitters for electro-optical devices
Nanocrystals and amorphous materials
- Implanted saphire
- Implanted topaz
- MCM-41 amorphous materials
Thin films
- Magnetic sensors - spin dependent tunnel junctions
Development of scientific instrumentation
- Hardware: Hotbird, Laue Camera, Soller Slit
- Optimisation of diffractometers
Research Projects
- SiGe/Si Heterojunctions Grown on Virtual Substrates - Strain Relaxation and Self-diffusion, "GESICA" (Heterojunções de SiGe/Si Crescidas em Substratos Virtuais – Relaxamento e Interdifusão "GESICA"), POCTI/CTM/41918/2001, Programa POCTI, Sapiens. Leader institution: CTN (Doctor E. Alves); Partners: Warwick University. Budget: 80 k€.
- Structural characterisation and physical properties of magnetic tunnel junctions (Quantum wells - Caracterização estrutural e propriedades físicas de junções de spin magnética), POCTI/CTM/41653/2001, Programa POCTI, Sapiens. Leader institution: CTN (Doctor N. Barradas); Partners: INESC. Budget: 95 k€.
Operating Team
- Researchers
- Eduardo da Costa Alves Alves, IP Researcher (Coordination)
- Katharina Lorez, IA Researcher (Contract)
- Collaborations, students
- Nuno Barradas, IA Researcher
- Sérgio Magalhães, Post-doc Student
- Alexandra Fonseca, PhD Student
The presence of a secondary pick-up coil in the main magnet assembly allows the simultaneous measurement of both axial and transverse components of the magnetization. This transverse axis facility and a motor to rotate the sample, in steps of 0.1 degree, enable the determination of sample anisotropic effects.