Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute and Center of excellence in Nanoscience ans Nanotechnology established in year 2012 a complete laboratory for pulsed laser deposition (PLD), which enables synthesis of advanced high-quality thin films. The laboratory is composed of KrF excimer laser and PLD chamber with ultrahigh vacuum, in-situ diagnostics, laser heating, and sputtering. PLD system is used for design and preparation of interfacial layers and for controlled growth of various oxide materials. The laboratory has also a high resolution X-ray diffractometer, which is dedicated for thin film analysis.
D.02 Establishment of a research centre, laboratory, study course, association
In order to widespread information about capabilities of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) systems for synthesis of advanced materials we published a technical article on this topic in journal Kemija v šoli in družbi (Chemistry in school and society), which is a well know journal in Slovenian primary and secondary schools. In the article basic characteristics of PLD systems, growth characteristics, and investigated materials are described.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 24525095Ag(Nb1-xTax)O3 ceramics exhibit microwave dielectric properties that are suitable for various electronic components, such as resonators and filters. However, during the preparation of these ceramics the oxidation and reduction processes of Ag cause problems related to matrix decomposition and densification, and these problems have not been successfully solved so far. In this invited talk we presented the influence of the synthesis condition and different atmospheres on the densification, decomposition of the matrix, and the homogeneity of the components with respect to their dielectric properties in the microwave-frequency region.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 27130919Education of bachelor and PhD students represented an important part of the project activities. Part of the program was namely performed by 2 PhD students, while 5 bachelor theses were closely related to the problems of the project. Doctoral dissertations: - Tina Šetinc, 2013, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School - Sonja Jovanović, scheduled for 2014, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Bachelor theses: - Dejan Klement, 2011, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana - Klemen Križaj, 2011, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana - David Fabjan, 2011, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana - Rok Brišar, 2012, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana - Miha Kastelic, 2013, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana
D.10 Educational activities
Part of the research related to the project was performed by a PhD student Tina Šetinc. She investigated hydrothermal synthesis of nanosized Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3, determined origin of inherent defects in sol-precipitation/hydrothermally derived SrTiO3 nanopowders, and prepared sol-gel derived compositionally graded SrTiO3/Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3/SrTiO3 thin films with temperature stable dielectric behavior. After her successful defense of doctoral degree in 2013 she was hired by a company Keko Varicon, in the development of various electronic components.
F.03 Increased qualifications of the research and development staff