As nanoscience fuels the growth of nanotechnology, it has become evident that new classes of fundamental scientific questions must be answered in order to address the existing and emerging technological challenges. Characterizing nanoscale materials and engineering their properties are of critical importance. Identifying fundamentally new nanomaterials and new functions of known materials drive the advances of nanotechnology.
Our research group focuses on understanding the fundamental properties of electronic and photovoltaic nanomaterials using scanning probe microscopy in conjunction with device characterization, and furthermore manipulating the properties of these nanomaterials via surface and interface engineering.
Two core themes are:
1) Characterization and control of surfaces and interfaces in nanoscale devices
2) In-situ correlation of nanoscale surface and interface properties with semiconductor device performance at larger scales
The nature of the research programs implies a high degree of interdisciplinarity, bridging physics, chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering.