Semiconductors & Integrated Circuits
Semiconductor Quantum Dot Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Simulation Tool
WiSys: T180055US02
Inventors: Wei Li, Samuel Belling, Heather Cihak
WiSys is seeking a strategic partner skilled in the design, modeling, and fabrication of Quantum Dots and Quantum wires. There is interest in working with a partner to test the beta version of the CAE simulation tool and provide feedback when modeling both Quantum Wires and Quantum Dots. Additionally, there is interest in identifying a partner with a 3D finite element method solver for further development and testing of the CAE simulation tool.
Overview
With the continued development of semiconductor technology, it is now possible to fabricate nano-scale material structures called Quantum Dots (QDs). The properties of QDs have earned them the characterization of “man-made atoms”. However, unlike nature’s atoms, one of the key advantages of QDs is the ability to engineer them for specific applications. Currently, there is a rapidly increasing level of novel applications for QDs in the photonics, optoelectronics, renewable energy, and medical device industries. Even though the commercial prospects for QDs are growing significantly, the development of these material structures is still very labor-intensive and expensive. The design, modeling, and fabrication of QDs is still mainly carried out using a trial-and-error method. There is an unmet need for a commercial software program that scientists and engineers can use to aide in the design of semiconductor QDs.
The Invention
A Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville has developed a software simulation tool for the computer aided engineering (CAE) of Quantum Dots. The CAE simulation tool accepts input of the QD parameters and then computes and returns the resulting optical and electronic properties. This includes QD structures with an InAs core and a GaAs matrix, and can be extended to any III-IV materials. The CAE tool simulates the most popular pyramidal and half-ellipsoidal QD shapes and can be extended to any arbitrary geometric shape. Compared with the often-incomplete results reported in the literature, this CAE simulation tool returns all possible electronic states within the QD. The CAE simulation results also supported the experimental data for the corresponding QD. The simulation tool currently runs as an application in the COMSOL platform and does not require a supercomputer for calculations and processing.
Applications
- Computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation tool for the design of quantum structural materials that can reduce time and costs associated with current modeling options;
- Designed for use in both commercial environments and for academic research where semiconductor quantum structure materials are used.
Key Benefits
- Processing and computation of QD optical and electronic properties without requiring the use of a supercomputer;
- Simulations can be run using various III-IV materials and any arbitrary geometric shape;
- When tested against known QDs, the CAE simulation tool returned figures that aligned with the experimental data;
- SImulations return all possibly electronic states of a QD and thus more complete results than what is available in the literature.
Stage of Development
The simulation tool (Q-Dot) currently runs as an application in the COMSOL platform and does not require a supercomputer for calculations and processing. This prototype is available for testing and supported by an accompanying user manual. Additionally, a separate quantum wire simulation tool (Q-Wire) is also available for testing as an application in the COMSOL platform. Similarly, this prototype is supported by an accompanying user manual.
For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Souter at [javascript protected email address] or (608) 316-4131