NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA

NRC, Institute for Microstructural Sciences

Overview
The Institute for Microstructural Sciences (IMS) is a
government laboratory at the National Research Council. Major
themes of the Institute's research programs are advanced
electronic devices, optoelectronics and electronic and photonic
materials.

Organization
The IMS has ten functional groups which work in
collaboration with each other on the five main program areas.
These program areas which are subdivided into major projects,
are carried out in partnership with industrial partnerships or
individual companies. In addition to this research, the
Institute provides client services on a cost recovery basis,
licenses technology to companies and provides consulting
services.

Research
The Institute supports growth of Canadian businesses
through a program encompassing artificially structured materials,
the behaviour of photons and electrons in such materials,
processing techniques, devices, device integration, signal
processing and exploratory applications.

Optical Communications
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Demo
Device Integration Technology
Silicon-based photonics
Telecom filters

Optical communications at IMS covers research into the novel use
of optoelectronic devices in order to create the next generation
of communication hardware using fibre optics.

Wireless Communications
Gallium Nitride Devices
High Frequency Devices (Si and InP)
Advanced Silicon Processes
Superconductor processes and devices

The Wireless Communications Program at IMS involves the potential
exploitation of advanced materials for the next generation of
wireless components.

Multimedia Components
Multimedia Components for Displays
Field Emission Displays
Infrared Imaging Arrays
Base Acoustics Technologies

The Multimedia Components Program at IMS studies the base
technologies used in the development of audio and display
components.

Exploratory Research
Nanoelectronics
Organic-based Devices
III-V Insulators (Oxides and Nitrides)
Nano-optics

The Exploratory Program at IMS supports the mandate of the
Institute to promote scientific excellence by providing the
Institute's knowledge base and acting as a link to the
international knowledge base.

Special Applications
Thin film applications
Diode pumping solid state lasers
Anticounterfeiting

The Special Applications Program at IMS is devoted to working
with Canadian industry for the exploitation of IMS-developed
technology focussed on specific technical problems.

Facilities
Assisting economic development by collaborating with
industry and government is a principal mission of the Institute.
IMS also provides access to special facilities and expertise
where equivalent services are not available from Canadian
industry. Services are available in the following areas:
- Compositional and structural characterization of surfaces,
interfaces and thin films
- Electrical and optical characterization of semiconductor
structures and devices
- Design and fabrication of optical thin films
- Focused Ion Beam microlithography and micromachining
- Prototype electronic and optoelectronic device fabrication
- Custom epitaxial growth of GaAs, InP and Si by Molecular Beam
Epitaxy (MBE), Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE) and Ultra High Vacuum,
Chemical Vapour Deposition (UHV-CVD)
- Computer simulation for design of optical multilayer systems,
semiconductor waveguides and quantum well lasers
- Acoustic testing

Industrial Involvement
The Institute operates in partnership with many
industrial companies and with other government agencies, notably
the Department of National Defence, the Canada Space Agency and
Industry Canada (Communications Research Centre). The principal
economic impact of IMS is derived form collaborative research and
development projects with industry. The Institute generates
revenue or in-kind assistance of over $2M per annum.

Company Details

Company Information

Richard Normandin
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Telephone: (613) 993-4449
Fax: (613) 957-8734

Thomas Jackman
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Telephone: (613) 993-6711
Fax: (613) 957-8734

Services

Research And Development