Our research sits in the big, fun space between materials science, solid state physics, electronics, and opto-electronics. Our current projects fall into three categories:
1. Defects in semiconductors: Fundamental understanding, control through material processing, and utilization in device technology. Fundamental studies include controlling point defects in materials synthesis, developing methods for defect characterization, and exploring connections between the photoresponse of deep defects and device functionality. Applied studies include developing switches and sensors based on ultra-wide band gap semiconductors.
2. Heterointegration of layered (2D) materials: We address problems of heterointegration of 2D materials in electronics, with a focus on forming high-quality interfaces between 2D materials (e.g. transition metal dichalcogenides, TMDs) and oxide dielectrics. Fundamental studies include learning about solid-state epitaxial transformations. Applied studies include comparing interface electronic quality against standard dielectric deposition methods.
3. Complex chalcogenide semiconductors: Developing chalcogenide electronic materials in the perovskite and related crystal structures. Emphasis is on thin-film growth including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and a lot of materials characterization. Fundamental topics include innovations in synthesis methods to enable lower-temperature film growth and improved control over defects. Applied topics include development of contact layers for photovoltaics, and demonstration of photonic functionality of lower-symmetry phases.