Department of Applied Physics

Advanced Nanomaterials & Devices

It is fascinating how materials properties at the nanoscale can be radically changed by means of size, crystal structure or surface states. We focus on new nanomaterial systems and investigate their properties.

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Fascinating nanowires and exciting research areas

Our research group exploits the properties of new nanomaterials; their unusual structural, optical, thermal, and electronic properties for future applications. Research in our group centers around nanowires since these offer an unprecedented level of flexibility and control. The versatility of their material composition allows envisioning new applications in chemistry, physics, engineering science and bioscience.

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Quantum Materials

Developing majorana building blocks for quantum computers

We synthesize materials and nanoscale devices which exhibit unconventional quantum-physical effects. As a major achievement we have proven the existence of Majorana fermions at the interface of an InSb nanowire with a superconductor. Ultimately we aim at creating Majorana fermions as building blocks for quantum computation.

Meet some of our Researchers

Full Professor

Erik Bakkers

Associate Professor

Jos Haverkort

Light from Si

Adding intra-chip and chip-to-chip communication at the speed of light

We have developed a generic approach to grow defect-free hexagonal SiGe nanowires with tunable composition, potentially featuring a direct bandgap. We aim to develop a Hex-SiGe nanolaser on a silicon platform. This will serve as a game-changer for the electronics industry, integrating electronic and optical functionalities.

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Examples of AND Research Projects

Explore our research through this slider of past and present projects

Array of vertical nanowires

Uniform GaAs nanowire 'pencils'

Crossed nanowire device

Nanowire hashtag

Ballistic nanowire network

Thermoelectric nanowire device

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Renewable Energy

Developing more efficient, cheaper solar cells and novel thermoelectric components

We develop generations of very high efficiency solar cells where the actual harvesting of solar energy is performed in arrays of III/V semiconductor nanowires. We also investigate efficient harvesting of thermal energy using crystalline semiconductor nanowires, enabling direct generation of electrical power from heat.

Recent Publications

Our most recent peer reviewed publications

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State-of-the-art Facilities

For our research we have state-of-the-art labs and equipment available:

  • The NanoLab@TU/e offers a unique combination of equipment for developing optical chips and other applications based on compound semiconductor technology.
  • Two optics labs: one is focused on photoluminescence measurements in the visible and near-infrared range (400-1600 nm). We can do temperature dependent and time-resolved measurements. In the other lab we focus on detection of emission in the infrared range using a FTIR spectrometer.
  • Thermoelectrics lab: we use two probestation set-ups in which we can measure thermal and electronic transport through individual nanowires.
  • We use Metal-Organic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE), and Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) for the growth of nanowires. We have an Aixtron Close Coupled Showerhead (CCS) for the growth of hexagonal semiconductors and an Aixtron 200/4 with 2 chambers, of which one is used for InSb and the other for InP-based semiconductors. We use a Createc MBE cluster system for the growth of III-V nanowires, II-IV-VI nanowires, and superconductors.

Student Opportunities

Are you a student interested in graduating or doing a project within the Advances Nanomaterials Devices group? Join us!

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