Research Areas

NANOSPHERES-- A QUICK WAY TO MAKE TINY STRUCTURES!

Left below- Monolayer of nanospheres deposited under special conditions.

Right below- Magnetic nanostructures filling the ‘holes’ between the nanosphere mask template after deposition and lift-off.

Nanotechnology explores the realms of physics in the extremely small scale. This is necessary and interesting because as the dimensions of structures and devices change, the science also changes. In order to make nanostructures, electron beam and x-ray lithography techniques are commonly used. However these methods are expensive and slow (EBL).

I explore the possibilities of nanosphere lithography. Nanospheres are extremely small latex particles having diameter of 2 micrometers down to 10 nanometers. My interest in these particles lies in utilising them to make nanostructures over a large area in a quick manner, exploring the applications of nanostructuers formed by this technique in physics, engineering and biological aspects.

FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSTRUCTURES

Nanostructures are fabricated by a combination of electron beam lithography as well as deposition techniques. Nanomagnets embedded in an insulating matrix show the unqiue combination of giant magnetoresistive and single electrontunneling effects. This property is exploited to fabricate magnetic sensors suitable for many applications. Our team investigates the material properties, fabrication techniques as well as low temperature characterization of the transport.