Introduction

Our research focuses on the chemistry and materials properties of nanoscale systems that have potential applications in the areas of devices and sensors. We are interested in the challenge of processing traditional device materials such as silicon so as to enable the successful fabrication of next generation computer chips. What are the limits of this technology and is it possible to tweak these material systems to get faster devices? To answer such questions it is necessary to study the detailed nature of these process at an atomic level, and much of our research involves the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy – technique that provide information on this length scale.

The second major focus of our research involves the use of nanoscale components, such as nanowires and quantum dots, in the assembly of nanoscale devices.