The dynamic modulation of semiconductor structures using vibrations in the form of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) provides a powerful tool for the control of the materials properties required for novel functionalities in the ‘More than Moore’ pathway to integrated devices. SAWs are elastic vibrations propagating on a solid surface: their fields modulate the material properties and create moving potentials for the transport of carriers. SAWs with (sub) micron wavelengths can be electrically generated on a piezoelectric by interdigital transducers (IDTs) fabricated using planar semiconductor technology. SAWs on piezoelectric insulators are used for numerous applications, most notably in signal processing, sensors and acousto-optics, where they have a well-established place. Acoustic devices incorporated in millions of mobile phones attest to the economic and societal impact of the technology.
The network consists of 10 leading European groups (including 9 universities or research centres and a private sector laboratory) and 15 associated partners (APs). Its main goal is to establish an interdisciplinary and innovative training network (ITN) for 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) at the PhD level to explore the novel functionalities provided by SAWs.
While supporting conventional application areas, the network will mainly focus on the exploitation of SAWs for the control of carriers, spins and photons as well as chemical reactions in semiconductors and related structures. Interestingly, most of the scientific and technological breakthroughs in this field have been made since the late 1990’s by beneficiaries of this consortium. These led to novel SAW-based functionalities for signal processing, sensors, optical modulators and switches, nano-mechanical structures, and quantum control of single electrons, photons, and phonons, which are key enabling technologies with high societal impact. Research will address (i) advanced materials and technologies for SAWs, integration with Si-CMOS, and applications in (ii) advanced sensors and (iii) chemical control; (iv) advanced nanoelectromechanics, tunable and integrated photonic devices; (v) SAW-mediated flying qubits transfer between quantum dots; (vi) SAW-induced light storage, spin transport, and single-photon sources; and (vii) the manipulation of single SAW quanta by superconducting qubits.
A further goal of the network is to increase the visibility of the field and enable innovation by strengthening the bridge between basic research and applications. The formation of human resources combined with extensive outreach, dissemination, and exploitation activities will setup a long-term platform for basic studies and applications of acoustics, thereby consolidating European leadership in the area.
The action concluded on May 31st 2019.
