Entering the Nano World

CSL began research on nanoscale devices, which are less than 1 micron in size. (A human hair is approximately 50 microns in diameter.) To carry out research in the realm of the ultra-small, CSL professors helped to purchase an electron beam lithography machine.

Quantum Leaps
CSL developed techniques to fabricate and simulate quantum nanostructures - structures so small that traditional laws of physics do not apply. The exotic laws of quantum mechanics take over. Researchers routinely fabricated quantum wires and gallium arsenide nanoscale transistors.

Full Band Monte Carlo Method
This method was developed at CSL. It is now a standard for simulating advanced devices.

The EpiCenter
CSL and the Materials Research Laboratory established the EpiCenter, a world-class center for new research in microelectronics materials and devices.

The Center for Compound Semiconductor Microelectronics
With National Science Foundation support, researchers helped to form the Center for Compound Semiconductor Microelectronics. CSL was actively involved with the Center, which conducted research on compound semiconductor materials and opto-electronic devices, circuits, and systems.

STM: Atomic-Scale Images
Illinois' first scanning tunneling microscope was constructed at CSL. The STM technique made it possible to observe molecules, chemical reactions, and the nanoscale surfaces of conducting solids.