Grant: Major Resources Support Program - Infrastructure

The Thin Film Research Laboratories (TFRL) - operated by the Groupe de recherche en physique et technologie des couches minces (GCM) - constitute a unique cluster of advanced materials research facilities with instrumentation for the preparation, modification and characterization of a wide range of materials, structures, discrete devices, circuits and systems. The TFRL, which includes the Ion Beam Laboratory, serve a significant segment of the materials research and development communities on the Univ. de Montréal campus as well as throughout the Montreal region and beyond. The TFRL serve approximately 350 users from academia, industry, and national laboratories every year. Mission: The mission of the TFRL is to maintain and further develop the best possible environment for cutting-edge research and for the training of students and other research personnel in the areas of advanced materials, devices, and thin film systems, as well as in related fields. In order to fulfill this mission, the TFRL offer access to a wide range of leading-edge instrumentation within a fully-staffed, highly-stimulating research environment. Versatility: The TFRL house a broad spectrum of advanced microfabrication and analytical techniques for the design, synthesis, modification, and analysis of advanced materials. Each year, a wide variety of materials including semiconductors, metals, insulators, composites, coatings, thin films, catalysts, biological tissues, and polymers are investigated by researchers from almost every scientific discipline. Expertise: The TRFL are staffed with experts who are available both to assist users in selecting the best combination of processes and techniques for their particular needs and to provide analytical services, consultation, and collaboration. In addition, they insure a complete training for researchers and students who seek to become autonomous in the operation of those instruments pertinent for their research.