Researchers from North Carolina State University have solved
a long-standing materials science problem, making it possible to create new
semiconductor devices using zinc oxide (ZnO) – including efficient ultraviolet
(UV) lasers and LED devices for use in sensors and drinking water treatment, as
well as new ferromagnetic devices.
“The challenge of using ZnO to make these devices has
stumped researchers for a long time, and we’ve developed a solution that uses
some very common elements: nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen,” says Dr. Lew
Reynolds, co-author of a paper describing the research and a teaching associate
professor of materials science and engineering at NC State. “We’ve shown that
it can be done, and how it can be done – and that opens the door to a suite of
new UV laser and LED technologies,” says Dr. Judith Reynolds, a research
scientist at NC State and lead author of the paper.