Thin films are essential elements in most areas of technology. In the group we focus on synthesis and characterization of nanoscale materials, in particular thin films from single atomic layers to macroscopic films.

New metamaterials for enhancement of solar cell absorption and high-temperature materials for thermo-photovoltaics are synthesized. Materials for power electronics, in particular wide-bandgap semiconductors and electrical contacts are developed and tested. Very recently the group has focused on piezoelectric nanostructures for energy harvesting.

The group relies heavily on the cleanroom facilities ( https://www.mp.aau.dk/laboratories/nanolab/ ) for synthesis and characterization of materials and components. The facilities give access to e-beam, magnetron sputtering and chemical vapor thin film deposition systems and characterization with electron microscopy, optical and photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy.

Outside the cleanroom, specialized ultra-high-vacuum deposition systems with electron-beam and thermal sources are used for synthesis of metal and semiconductor structures. The systems also offer linear and nonlinear optical in-situ characterization during growth.

Ongoing projects

• X-Power: The Danish Power Electronics Reliability Test Facilities: xpower.aau.dk
• NEG: Nanoscale Energy Generators: vbn.aau.dk/da/projects/nanoscale-energy-generators
   

Materials for solar energy conversion 

High-temperature absorbers and emitters for TPV
Plasmon enhanced light harvesting