Aixtron provides novel deposition system to EPFL for 2D materials research

The deposition system will be used to advance research on the investigation of electrical properties, fundamental physics and practical applications of 2D materials

26 Sep 2017 | Editor

Aixtron has announced that the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne (Switzerland) has purchased a BM NOVO system. This "versatile" tool which can produce virtually all variations of 2-dimensional materials (2D) required for emerging optoelectronic applications is dedicated to support the University’s research projects coordinated by Prof. Andras Kis and Prof. Aleksandra Radenovic.

According to the announcement Aixtron's BM NOVO system uses a unique combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) technology and metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) technology to enable the growth of high quality 2D materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) e.g. molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) or tungsten diselenide (WSe₂).

TMDCs combine atomic-scale thickness with unique electrical, optical and mechanical properties thus making it a potential material of choice to be used in optoelectronic, electronic, energy storage, spintronic, sensing and even in DNA sequencing applications. Considering these wide range of capabilities, the new BM NOVO was developed to enable customers to solve critical TMDCs deposition challenges and at the same time to provide the reliability required to develop cutting edge applications.

"AIXTRON's new BM NOVO system will provide the flexibility and reliability that are required to advance our research which focuses on the investigation of electrical properties, fundamental physics and practical applications of 2D materials such as TMDCs.

Prof. Andras Kis, one of the globally leading experts for 2D materials research

"We are looking forward to the cooperation with AIXTRON as the company’s innovative new platform will support our research in the field of single molecule biophysics which includes the further development of techniques and methodologies based on optical imaging, biosensing and single molecule manipulation."

Prof. Aleksandra Radenovic, who leads the research on 2D materials for biophysics at EPFL

About Aixtron

Aixtron SE is a leading provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry. The Company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Herzogenrath (near Aachen), Germany, with subsidiaries and sales offices in Asia, United States and in Europe. Aixtron's technology solutions are used by a diverse range of customers worldwide to build advanced components for electronic and opto-electronic applications based on compound, silicon, or organic semiconductor materials. Such components are used in a broad range of innovative applications, technologies and industries. These include LED applications, display technologies, data storage, data transmission, energy management and conversion, communication, signaling and lighting as well as a range of other leading-edge technologies.

Source: Aixtron

About Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

EPFL is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology. With the status of a national school since 1969, the young engineering school has grown in many dimensions, to the extent of becoming one of the most famous European institutions of science and technology. EPFL's community is composed of almost 15,000 people representing more than 125 nationalities. EPFL stands out by focusing on international partnerships, sponsorship, and joint projects between academia and industry.

Source: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)