Solid-State Electronics

Dive into the world of solid-state electronics research, where we are actively exploring and developing nanoscale materials and devices to meet the ever-growing global demand for high-performance microelectronics.

Our work is aligned with the latest trends in the field, incorporating non-traditional materials and innovatively harnessing quantum effects to enhance device performance. Our research encompasses a broad and dynamic spectrum, ranging from investigating fundamental transport and optical phenomena in ultra-small devices to the pioneering creation of innovative transistors, next-generation memories and highly efficient solar cells.

Our research takes place in two state-of-the-art facilities at the U of A, the Nanofabrication Facility and the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT). These facilities provide direct access to world-class nanofabrication and advanced characterization tools, alongside powerful computational resources. Join us in pushing the very boundaries of solid-state electronics and shaping the future of technology.

Find faculty members who specialize in Solid State Electronics.

Possible Careers

  • VLSI design engineer
  • Process integration engineer
  • Equipment engineer
  • Nanotechnology researcher
  • Materials engineer
  • Power electronics engineer

Areas of Specialization

Solid-state electronics in electrical and computer engineering is the study of electronic devices that operate by controlling the flow of charge carriers within a solid material, typically a semiconductor. This field is the foundation of modern technology, having replaced bulky and inefficient vacuum tubes with smaller, more reliable, and energy-efficient devices. Core components include diodes and transistors, which are the building blocks for creating more complex devices like integrated circuits , or microchips. The study involves understanding the physics of materials at a microscopic level to design devices used in everything from computers and smartphones to power systems and sensors.

Current research in Solid-State Electronics

Current research in Solid-State Electronics focuses on exploring diverse materials for next-generation electronic and optical devices. Research encompasses wide, narrow, and amorphous bandgap materials for creating high-efficiency, ultra-low-power digital, and ultra-high-frequency THz electronics. Efforts include modeling carbon-based transistors (graphene, nanotubes) using advanced transport methods. Fundamental studies investigate electron spin and magnetic-field effects in nanowires to enable high-density, spin-based nanoscale memory circuits. A key area is clarifying charge-transport and nanoscale phenomena at complex material interfaces, with a focus on nanostructured semiconductors.