Collaborative Research: Predictive theory, synthesis and characterization of a new type of transparent conductor without doping

Project: Research project

Project Details

Description

Transparent conducting oxides are paradoxical materials that form the basis of modern day technology: touch screens, televisions, solar panels, etc. The current method of choice for discovering new TCO’s have relied on heavily doping transparent insulators until they become conducting. Unfortunately, this method runs into doping bottlenecks that cap the conductivity and are sensitive to preparation. We propose a more fruitful alternative of engineering transparency in metals by looking for compounds with favorable band structures, and limited visible transitions. Our theoretical framework will develop design principles and functionality metrics of candidate metallic TCO’s. From there, we will use optical floating zone techniques to prepare large single crystals for electronic and optical transparency measurements. Single crystals will provide accurate experimental values that will feed back into theory and our design principles. This synergistic approach will hopefully open a new direction towards understanding the relationship between electronic and optical properties.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date7/1/186/30/22

Funding

  • National Science Foundation (DMR-1806912)

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