Nicholas Stephen

Current Research Project:

Investigating GaAs metamorphic lasers

Metamorphic growth is a technique where a virtual buffer layer is grown on a substrate such as GaAs.  The lattice constant of the buffer layer can be chosen, which enables the growth of the laser heterostructure that can be tuned to different applications including telecommunication. This project in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute in Cork is investigating serval different metamorphic lasers grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy, MOVPE. Using techniques such as Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, EDX, the aim of the project is to investigate the internal structure of the lasers further to find out information. This involves analysis on defects, strain, chemical composition and morphonology. The information will help to optimise the manufacture process with the aim of producing a laser that is viable for commercial telecommunication applications.

Biography

Nicholas joined the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage programme in September 2019 having previously graduated with a BSc Honours in Chemistry and MSc in Biostatistics, both from the University of Glasgow. He is currently in the second year of the programme having completed the taught training year and started the PhD project in June 2020. His research mainly focuses on using electron microscopy techniques for investigating GaAs metamorphic lasers grown in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute.

Research interest

• Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Metamorphic lasers
• GaAs
• Material science