The centre has been built around two central facilities – The National Nanofabrication Centre (NNfC) and the Micro and Nano Characterization facility (MNCF). Both are national user facilities, i.e. they are accessible to outside academic and industrial users.
Supporting the central facilities are the MEMS and IC Packaging lab, the Computational Nanoengineering (CoNe) laboratory, Systems Lab, and 14 other functionally distinct laboratories managed by various research groups. In keeping with Centre’s collaborative and open atmosphere, access to these laboratories can also be provided after appropriate permissions. For details please visit Research Facilities. Centre also houses a range of academic and recreational facilities for students and faculty.
National Nanofabrication (NNfC)
National Nanofabrication Centre consisting of a comprehensive 14,000 sq. ft. clean-room facility with capability for:
- Photolithography with resolution of 1 µm for optical and 10 nm for e-beam lithography.
- Developing unit processes for chemical & physical vapour deposition (CVD) of most commonly used semiconductors and dielectrics, such as Si, SiGe, Ge, SiO2, SiNx, Al2O3, TiO2, etc.
- Developing unit processes for wet and dry etching of most commonly used semiconductors and dielectrics.
- Fabricating complete MEMS sensors, gas sensors, GaN HEMTs, Si solar cells, novel 1D and 2D devices including graphene and MoS2, and photonic circuits.
- Developing new and customized processes for MEMS/NEMS devices, microfluidic structures, and semiconductor devices for industries and other laboratories.
- Inline characterization using various metrology tools.
For more details on Nanofabrication facilities, click here.
Micro and Nano Characterization Facility (MNCF)
The one of its kind micro and nano characterization facility (MNCF) aims to be a single shop for all a characterization needs of any nanofabrication process. It is rare to find such a comprehensive array of tools under a single roof, anywhere in the world. Capabilities include:
- Complete electrical characterization of devices from DC to 110 MHz and at 4K to 400K temperature, using an array of probe stations and parameter analysers.
- Ability to characterize RF devices up 70 GHz.
- Ability to measure power conversion efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of solar cells.
- Metrology of thin-films using optical profilometer; acoustic microscopy; and atomic force microscope (AFM), including advanced modes such as piezo response, conductive, magnetic-force, scanning-tunnelling atomic force microscopy, etc.
- Comprehensive characterization of bulk materials and thin-films using Raman; photoluminescence (PL); electroluminescence (EL); Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR); X-ray diffraction (XRD); X-ray reflection (XRR), photoemission spectrometry (UPS and XPS); and UV-Visible spectrometery.
- Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with dual beam focused ion-beam (FIB), EDS and monochrometer (MonoCL).
For more details on characterization facilities, click here.
Systems & Packaging Facility
Systems Engineering is an ESD safe workspace which houses various electronic test & measurement equipments, ESD work stations, soldering and desoldering stations, PCB design tool, embedded and software design tools, pressure sensor calibration setup, particulate matter counter, various gas & pressure sensors, electronic modules & components and processors' based evaluation kits,
MEMS and IC Packaging facility has the complete capability to convert a wafer into a packaged device – from wafer sawing to wire bonding to precision welding. In addition, there are dedicated setups for pneumatic/hydraulic pressure calibration for pressure sensors and acoustic calibration for acoustic sensors. For more details on Systems and Packaging facilities, click here
Computational Facility
Computational Nanoengineering (CoNe) laboratory has 24 computers with Windows and Unix operating systems for simulations and modelling. It also houses CeNSE mail, web, and data backup servers. The lab is currently engaged in developing a simulation module for microsystems and integrating in a commercial finite element software, NISA. Also pursued in the lab are projects in algorithms for simulation and scientific computing including graphical processor unit (GPU) based computing. Commercial modelling packages such as Matlab, Synopsys, Sentaurus, etc. are available for use.
Library
CeNSE maintains a growing library of books on nanoscience. The access to books is provided to all Centre members free of charge. Library has a committed yearly budget and both students and faculty can request titles for purchase. The library is open for weekday from 3pm to 5pm.
Café
The Café functions as the social hot-spot of CeNSE. With an open layout that connects to the scenic balcony, Café is the perfect spot to take a break. It is cozy enough to catch up with friends over a game of chess and spacious enough for some quiet introspection as you watch the setting sun. Menu includes light refreshments and beverages.
Student Offices
CeNSE is one of the few department that have dedicated office spaces for all PhD students. The goal is to encourage student-to-student interaction away from the hectic hustle of labs and eyes of the faculty. All students sit in air-conditioned halls with modern & spacious cubicles that balance the twin needs of proximity and privacy.
M.Tech. Lounge
M.Tech. students enjoy the unique privilege of a dedicated lounge. The lounge is perfect for group study sessions (right before assignment deadline!), study or just relaxing on the couch with a beautiful view of the campus. For convenience, computers and personal lockers are provided.
Faculty Lounge
Currently under construction, the lounge will also house a mini gym where members can sweat it out between experiments.
Sports Courtyard
The CeNSE backyard doubles up as sports arena perfect for some badminton, volleyball, or gully cricket. Because there is no safer way to beat your adviser than a racket!
.