Research focus: tailor-made material synthesis

Properties of materials are solely determined by the type and the relative fractions of the constituent atoms (chemistry) and the way that these atoms are arranged in space (atomic order). A common example in which nature demonstrates the importance of atomic order is carbon. Carbon atoms can be ordered in a layered structure (known as graphite) which gives rise to a soft and opaque material with semi-metallic character. Carbon can also be ordered in the so-called tetrahedral coordination (known as diamond) which gives rise to an ultra-hard, transparent material with insulating character.

Our research strategy entails the development of non-equilibrium synthesis routes that facilitate control over chemistry and atomic arrangement in short- (Ångström length scale), medium- (nanometer length scale) and long-range (several nanometers up to tens of nanometers length scale) and enable us to synthesize metastable compositionally complex film materials which range from ordered alloys to self-organized nanostructures. Combining these routes with advanced in-situ and ex-situ experimental toos and growth simulations (Monte-Carlo and Molecular Dynamics) we seek to elucidate the complex relations between chemistry, atomic order, and attributes in physical vapor deposited thin films and coatings and contribute to the generation of knowledge required for tailor-made material synthesis.

Application areas of our research include:

• Advanced ceramic hard protective coatings (transition metal oxides and nitrides)
• Films with self-healing abilities and sensorial perceptions (metal-metal nitride/carbon nanocomposites)
• Films for applications in optics (ultra-thin metallic films)