Grant: Canada Research Chairs

Semiconductors had a tremendous transformative impact on virtually every aspect of our lives over the past few decades. Among them, third-generation group III-nitride compound semiconductors (GaN, AlN, InN, and its alloys) are at the frontier of many existing and emerging applications ranging from massive solid-state lighting, micro-LED display, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), quantum photonics and photocatalysis. Their unique structural, electronic, optical, excitonic, and photocatalytic properties, including tunable wide energy bandgap, large excitonic binding energy, and excellent thermodynamic/chemical stability, make them ideal for semiconductor quantum light sources and semiconductor photocatalysts. To this end, group III-nitrides nanostructures can be utilized to make i) single and entangled photon emitters for various quantum applications and ii) photocatalysts by harvesting the entire solar spectrum to produce value-added solar fuels. The proposed Canada Research Chair program builds on two themes aiming to advance the horizon of the III-nitrides nanostructures platform for two groundbreaking advancements. Theme 1 will broadly develop quantum light sources operating at room temperature and investigate the photophysics of quantum light. It will also integrate quantum light sources with other active/passive elements to build quantum photonic integrated circuits. Theme 1 will be a stepping stone toward developing a scalable, on-demand, solid-state quantum photonic platform for practical photon-based quantum applications. Theme 2 will focus on developing a scalable III-nitride nanostructured platform for carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion and methane (CH4) reformation. It will produce value-added chemical and energy-rich fuels using abundant sunlight, water, CO2, and CH4. Theme 2 will provide a unique scalable platform for mitigating energy and climate change-related challenges. This interdisciplinary program involves condensed matter physics, optical spectroscopy, chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering, and nanofabrication. It will allow the training of highly qualified personnel in the areas of quantum science and technology as well as semiconductor photocatalysis, which will develop transferrable skills in high demand in the semiconductor/chemical industry. Therefore, INRS fully endorses Prof. Sadaf’s proposed research program and will provide financial and non-financial support toward fulfilling the goals of this program.