Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

We discovered recently that the Auger effect which is usually a loss mechanism in light emitting devices can lead to up-converted emission under some specific energetic conditions that we could implement for the first time in an organic heterostructure. We published in 2007 the first report of an up-conversion mechanism in a light emitting device. We named the mechanism 'Auger fountain electro-luminescence' in reference to a similar mechanism observed 10 years ago in the optical excitation of a semiconductor-heterostructure. The thesis topic of the first grad student who joined my team at Queen's is to investigate in detail the interfacial mechanisms taking place during up-converted electroluminescence. The objective of the present RTI grant application is to set-up a thin-film deposition system specifically designed to build Auger fountain organic electro-luminescent diodes with a precise control of the heterostructure interface. We will in this way on a 3 years time-scale find-out quantitatively the practical efficiency limits of the process. On a longer time scale, the system will permit to develop new generations of organic electronic devices in collaboration with co-applicants at Queen's. Benefit for Canada is the possibility to build a new generation of organic dual devices that will rely on previous know-how developed in companies such as Xerox-Canada. Benefit for Queen's is to have a new Physical characterization platform for organic compounds developed in the Department of Chemistry. Benefit for HQP education is training into advanced thin-film deposition techniques for jobs in microelectronic and plastic electronic industries.