Gaseous Electronics F6

GASEOUS ELECTRONICS - F6

• Science of gases and gaseous discharges
• Plasma nanoscience
• Processing and synthesis of nanomaterials
• Plasma chemistry
• Plasma electrochemistry and catalysis
• Plasma biomedicine and biotechnology
• Gas sensors
• Research on field emission in nanostructured materials
• Optoelectronics
• Vacuum science
• Design of vacuum systems
• Vacuum thermal insulation

Head of the department
Prof. Dr. Uroš Cvelbar, uros.cvelbar@ijs.si

Administration
Urška Kisovec, M.Sc., urska.kisovec@ijs.si
Telephone: +386 (0)1 477 35 36

Science about gases and gaseous discharges
In the F6 department, we are researching the boundaries of current knowledge of gases and gaseous discharges, bounded to the plasma creation under critical conditions. In recent years, our research is focused on plasma creation at atmospheric pressure, properties of complex low-pressure and dusty plasmas, and plasmas which are at the boundary conditions needed for their existence. Part of this research is also the development of analytical methods for monitoring, as well as the determination of plasma properties.

Plasma nanoscience, chemistry, and electrochemistry
In this area, we are revealing electronic processes in the sub-nanometre scale. This research is covering understanding of atomic bonding into molecules and further into crystal lattices, understanding of bond formation and cleavage formation of electronic bands in insulators, semiconductors, and conductors, understanding the lifetime of charge carriers in the materials, and materials in contact with other substances in any aggregation state, electron interaction with photons and plasmons, etc. Our fundamental expertise is in the preparation of atomic and molecular radicals in states, which are outside the thermal equilibrium – plasma. We can control the change in the energy states, which gives us the unique possibility of studying interactions between those particles and between particles and surfaces treated with them. In this way, we are developing methods for the synthesis of new materials with specific electronic configuration and modifying the density of electronic states, electronic bands, and surface electronic states. Furthermore, our research is extended to non-equilibrium chemical and electrochemical processes taking place in gases and liquids.

Plasma biotechnology and biomedicine
Plasma biotechnology and biomedicine is a new field of research established in recent years, which is based on the development of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas and the interaction of their reactive species with biomaterials and microorganisms. Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas are opening a variety of possibilities for biological material manipulation through targeted dosing of reactive species, which are arising in plasma, such as RONS (Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species). These species can be used for targeted purposes, from interaction with individual bonds to decontamination of molecules or even microorganisms. Furthermore, cold atmospheric plasmas enable us deposition of inorganic or organic materials to the surface, e.g., preparation of antibacterial composite coatings for medical use.

Advanced sensors, electronics of surfaces and crystals
Exploiting the properties of the condensed matter, where atoms are ordered in a periodic crystal lattice, represents the basis for operations of modern electronic devices, with research interest covering a wide area of synthesis, applications, and modification of materials for sensors, catalysis, biology application and exploiting semi-conducting properties of materials. In our research, we are exploring properties of crystalline matter on micro and nano-scale, and surface electronic states, which arise at the sharp transition from solid to vacuum, and are located solely in the atomic layers with weakened potential, closest to the surface.

Advanced vacuum science and technology
Vacuum technology was introduced in the industry more than 100 years ago, and represents a long-term knowledge of our department. Light bulbs were the first products, requiring high vacuum, followed by radio, X-ray, and cathode-ray tubes. The invention of the transistor greatly contributed to the expansion of vacuum technology in the semiconductor industry, which today represents 40 % of the whole vacuum equipment market. Another big area of vacuum science and technology is research, where the vacuum environment is essential for keeping the surfaces clean (surface sciences), free movement of particles and waves (particle accelerators, synchrotron sources, gravitational wave detectors), development of equipment for space exploration, etc. Technologies associated with vacuum were always related to the top new achievements and still set new requirements for advanced materials, more precise control of process parameters, and quality of the vacuum environment. Our program is focused on solving the selected and hot-topic research problems in vacuum science in the fields where we are recognized as experts in the international community.