New era for Belarus nanophotonics research
The BSUIR is a leading academic institution with expertise in micro- and nanoelectronics, materials research, beam technologies and radio engineering. To facilitate its integration into the ERA, its scientists collaborated with four European partners for personnel and knowledge exchange. EU funding of the BELERA project was used to develop expertise in CNTs and photonics. BSUIR established durable cooperation with four research institutions from Germany, Spain, France and Luxembourg. BELERA contributed to building the necessary BSUIR research and technological development capacity and enhancing Belarusian participation in the European Framework Programmes. Furthermore, it increased the University's visibility in Europe, leading to links and networking with other leading European research organisations. BSUIR's first twinning project aimed at CNT magnetic properties. Together with partners from France, BSUIR developed a liquid-vaporised chemical vapour deposition technique for preparing hybrid CNT metal films. Detailed studies were performed regarding their structural, textural (orientation), spectroscopic and magnetic properties. University scientists set up joint experiments with the German partner institution on the preparation and structuring of CNT-based cold cathodes and then studied their emission properties. Research was based on a novel technology for fabricating structured cathodes by growing CNT columns in defined arrays developed by the German-based institution. The third research topic regarded the development of nano-structured materials for novel photonic devices. In cooperation with the Spain-based partner institution, BSUIR worked on developing a metallisation process for light emitters based on porous silicon. Furthermore, focus was placed on the coupling efficiency of nanoporous aluminium as a waveguide for developing integrated photonic devices. Joint work was also carried out on designing photonic structures for biosensors and on designing optimal configurations for Schottky-junction solar cells. Dissemination was an important part of the BELERA project and partners were particularly productive in this regard. In addition to the project website and several publications, partners produced a presentation, four newsletters, a leaflet, an e-brochure and a promotional guide.
Keywords
Carbon nanotube, photonics, radioelectronics
