Project description
High-performance laser systems grown on germanium wafers
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are a type of semiconductor laser diodes with laser beam emission perpendicular from the top surface. They are a key component in various laser products. Most VCSELs are grown on gallium arsenide substrates, but recently germanium (Ge) has attracted significant research attention as a substrate candidate. The EU-funded PhotoGeNIC project aims to grow VCSELs on germanium using molecular beam epitaxy and metal-organic chemical vapour deposition. The key challenge is to achieve high crystal quality of the grown layers, decrease misfit dislocations (defects that severely degrade material properties) and increase the quantum efficiency of the laser device.
Objective
The project scope is to develop an innovative technology of germanium (Ge)-based VCSEL. The main objective is to develop a Ge-VCSEL epi-growth by MOCVD and MBE techniques and processing of high performance and reliable lasers to be integrated in 3D camera and LiDAR demonstrators. The key challenge is to achieve high crystal quality of grown layers while taking the advantage of a better crystallographic lattice sameness between Ge and Al gallium arsenide (GaAs), which enables to decrease misfit defects density and in consequence to increase the quantum efficiency of the device. Several characterisation methods will be used as X-ray diffraction and topography, depth high resolution SIMS, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), atomic force microscopy, reflectance, PL mapping, and others. Each growing campaign will be concluded by processing of conventional VCSELs (GaAs-based) and VCSELs on Ge which will allow the verification of VCSELs parameters and comparison of both type devices. The VCSEL technology drives a dynamic market with constant need for innovative solutions. Demonstration of high performing devices of Ge-on-Si can unlock potentially large markets from optical data communications to imaging, lighting and displays, to the manufacturing sector, to life sciences, health care, security and safety. In commercial applications, the performance, costs and the strong reduction of toxic elements will be very important factors to drive a replacement of the current technology. The Ge, offering a higher yield and less production losses due to higher uniformity at larger size wafer, is promised to lower the environmental burden compared to expensive GaAs substrate. As the VCSEL sector is developing dynamically with laser production expected to triple in the next five years, the project, with its innovative Ge-VCSEL solution, has the potential to significantly contribute to the reduction of lasers’ global usage of toxic materials, and improve the device performances.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planetary geology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.2 - Key Digital Technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9500 VILLACH
Austria
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.