Next-generation semiconductors for green electronics and quantum technologies

Semiconductor materials are central to many key technologies that enable the development of our society, such as communication, computer memory, computing capacity, and energy production and distribution. As a Wallenberg Scholar, Vanya Darakchieva wants to create new, environmentally friendly semiconductor materials for a sustainable society.

"The frontiers of semiconductor physics and technology must be pushed to develop the next generation of quantum technologies and environmentally friendly electronics necessary for the transition to a sustainable, safe and resilient society. Cutting-edge solutions for medical and chemical sensors, secure communication and data protection, and new electronic components for an energy-efficient smart grid and for electric transport are some examples of what is required.

To fulfil such needs, Darakchieva and her research team will develop knowledge about unexplored ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors based on metal oxides and metal nitrides. These new materials have great potential to enable the next generation of environmentally friendly power electronic components with better performance being at the same time cheaper and easier to mass produce. 

The new semiconductor materials could also serve as host materials to create point defects for robust qubits (quantum bits) and single photon emitters that can operate at room temperature, which is important for their use in practical applications such as quantum computers and sensors, which currently can only operate at temperatures close to absolute zero. 

The research aims to lead to new quantum grade materials that will provide sources of single photons and single spins for quantum information and sensing. The results will also enable next-generation power electronics with enormous potential to radically transform transport and the distribution and conversion of electricity, which will reduce carbon emissions.