> Department of Physics > Undergraduate
Research Experience for Undergraduates - Materials Science
Research Projects
Yves Idzerda (co-PI) - Growth and Characterization of Magnetic Thin Films
(http://www.physics.monta na.edu/magnetism/home.htm)
Dr. Idzerda is the head of the MSU Magnetic Nanostructures Growth and Characterization Facility and is the Spokesperson for the Magnetic Materials X-ray Characterization Facility located at beamline U4B of the National Synchrotron Light Source of Brookhaven National Laboratories. His research is the generation and characterization ultra-thin film/interface magnetism of itinerant magnetic systems and in novel characterization techniques that have strong magnetic contrast. Part of this current research includes exploiting polarized X-rays to obtain unique knowledge of the behavior of magnetic thin films and surfaces. He is also the PI of an NSF supported NIRT program entitled "Template-constrained Nanomagnetic Clusters - Growth and Characterization", a multi-disciplinary research program including collaborators from physics, chemistry and virology.
Undergraduate researchers will have the opportunity to grow epitaxial ferromagnetic oxide and ferromagnetic semiconductor films by molecular beam epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition for incorporation into device structures that exploit the spin of the electron as a parameter for controlling its behavior. In addition to experience gained in growing thin films in ultra-high vacuum conditions, REU participants will gain insight into the advanced characterization capabilities required for magnetic thin film research. In addition to atomic force microscopy (AFM), magnetooptical Kerr spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements, Auger spectroscopy, Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED), and High Resolution Electron Energy Loss (HREELS), unique synchrotron-based X-ray
characterization techniques sensitive to the magnetism of each element of the compound materials will be exploited to fully understand the magnetic and chemical structure of the grown films. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) has the demonstrated capability to determine the elemental moments (including the separation of the spin and orbital contribution to the total elemental moment) of the constituent materials, allowing for a clear breakdown of the magnetic properties in terms of the materials used. A second technique, X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS), investigates the chemical and magnetic interfacial quality (including elemental chemical and magnetic interfacial roughness, both in-plane and perpendicular to the plane) of the multilayered system. The research experience gained in both growing and characterizing magnetic films will be invaluable experience for undergraduate participants. These characterization techniques are also applicable to solid oxide fuel cells and permeable membrane fuel cells where undergraduate can help understand the degradation mechanisms.
REU students can also participate in straightforward theoretical modeling of the characterization measurements and in Labview programming of our equipment. Significant contributions to our program by undergraduates here at MSU have already occurred.
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John Neumeier (co-PI) - Superconductivity, magnetism, thermodynamic studies, and sample growth
(John Neumeier homepage)
The general focus of Dr. Neumeier’s research is the study of novel magnetic and superconducting compounds. This includes the study of novel transition metal oxides such as high temperature superconductors, magnetic oxides and oxides that exhibit low-dimensional behavior. Specimen synthesis and characterization play a major role in this work along with the measurement of numerous physical properties (see homepage link above).
For the summer of 2008, the REU participant will be actively involved in the growth and characterization of single crystal samples. This is a fantastic opportunity for the participant to learn how to operate our optical image furnace, a $235,000 instrument for growing single crystals. This device uses high-powered lamps at the foci of two ellipsoids to focus light on the sample and melt it. It reaches temperatures in excess of 2000°C. The participant will learn how to prepare materials for growth, grow the crystals, and investigate the samples using x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The student will conduct a wide range of measurements as well. This is an excellent project for a someone who enjoys solid-state chemistry and working with their hands in the laboratory. This project will most likely focus on the physics of quasi one-dimensional oxides. These are materials that conduct electricity very well along only one of the three principle crystallographic axes. The study of such systems is important because quasi 1D systems can exhibit Luttinger-liquid behavior (a directly solvable mathematical problem in physics). Thus, they can provide test cases for theory. This may also be important for the general question of why low dimensional systems exhibit high temperature superconductivity. This project would team the undergraduate student with Ariana de Campos (a visiting scholar from Campina, Brazil) in the growth of single crystals of a number of compounds. The work will also involve characterization of the crystals with x-ray diffraction, measurement of electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and thermal expansion. The exact nature of the project depends upon its status in June 2008, when the REU student joins the research effort. This opportunity offers exposure to a current problem in condensed matter physics and extensive hands-on experience with several experimental devices used in materials research, such as the PPMS (Physical Properties Measurement System), ultra low temperature measurements (0.3 K) using the isotope He-3, X-ray diffraction, and an array of sample preparation equipment.
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Hugo Schmidt - Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Piezoelectric Crystals and Polymers
The main focus of Dr. Schmidt's research program is developing dense and chemically stable proton conducting ceramics with high proton conductivity, for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications. Typical proton conducting ceramics studied include yttrium-doped mixtures of barium cerate and barium zirconate. Synthesis and fabrication of these ceramics include the glycine-nitrate process and conventional ceramic process techniques such as calcination, ball milling, pressing and sintering. REU participants will also gain insight into advanced characterization methods, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), to determine compositions, microstructure, and conduction processes in these samples. We also develop mixed proton and electron conducting ceramics for hydrogen separation membranes. Another feature of the project is to measure and analyze SOFC anode gas flow and tortuosity for various anode structures. In addition, a model for the voltage vs. current density curve for SOFC's was developed and is being refined. REU participants could gain theoretical modeling experience in this project.
REU participants can contribute to a fundamental research project, characterizing high-strain relaxor ferroelectric single crystals such as lead magnesium niobate/lead titanate (PMN-PT) mixed crystals by techniques that include polarizing light microscopy, XRD, SEM, dielectric permittivity spectroscopy, and ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurements. PMN-PT and related mixed single crystals have extremely high electromechanical coupling factors (>94%), ultrahigh piezoelectric coefficients (>2500 pC/N), and mechanical strain to 1.7%. Such high performance for interconverting mechanical and electrical energy is being applied to medical imaging, actuators, sonar, and accelerometers. A related project deals with high-strain piezoelectric polymer actuators with conducting polymer electrodes.
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Stephen Sofie - Physical & Electrical Properties Characterization of Functional Ceramic Oxides
Dr. Sofie is a member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Dr. Sophie's web page). His research focus is the development of solid oxide fuel cell technologies. This area of energy related research utilizes the concept of high temperature electrochemical operation and the use of functional oxide ceramic materials. Dr. Sofie’s research group is currently involved in the development of novel ceramic anode materials based on the group of ABO3 perovskite structured ceramics. While perovskite ceramics can tolerate significant variations in oxygen stoichiometry without the formation of secondary phases or decomposition, there is a very strong dependency of thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, and ionic conducitivity on the stoichiometry of oxygen. This involves the use of high temperature thermal expansion (dilatometry) and 4-point conductivity measurements to characterize these novel compounds.
Recently SrTiO3 based ceramics have been developed as a replacement to traditional nickel based anodes. Two key doping strategies have been employed on the A site in addition to strontium to boost conductivity and redox stability using either La or Y dopants. While electrical conductivity of these systems has been well established the dependency of thermal expansion on oxygen stoichiometry is of vital interest. At constant temperature the thermal expansion can be altered by varying the partial pressure of gases utilizing air, nitrogen, and hydrogen mixtures. This concept is referred to chemical expansivity and can be characterized utilizing dilatometry under controlled atmospheres. This project will offer the undergraduate the opportunity to synthesize & sinter customized ceramic compositions followed by preparation of samples for dilatometric study of several SrTiO3 compounds and further characterization by thermal gravimetric analysis, SEM, and x-ray analysis. The overall goal will be to understand the mechanisms and extent of chemical expansivity for doped SrTiO3 under varying atmospheric conditions and how this may effect integration with current materials.
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Recep Avci, director of ICAL
(http://www.physic s.montana.edu/ICAL/ICAL.html)
(http://ww w.physics.montana.edu/neutrino/neutrino.html)
The Image and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL) at Montana State University was established in order to promote interdisciplinary collaboration in research, education and industry, and to strengthen existing cooperation between the physical and biological sciences. The analysis facility is open to both academic and commercial users and has been successfully operating since 1992. Details can be viewed at URL: www.physics.montana.edu/ical/ical.html. The center has drawn both national and international scientists from various disciplines and institutions since its inception. As such, it is a great opportunity for students working in the facility because they interact with a large number of people from different scientific disciplines and institutions. Such interactions broaden students’ scientific horizons and have a very positive impact on students’ scientific development, appreciation and future interests. ICAL has a number of in-house research areas, which are described below. Each topic is potentially available to the interested student. We are constantly involved in developing new techniques for the private sector, and students can also be involved in some of these areas. We have had great experience with REU students in ICAL since 1992. Typically they get trained in one or two techniques such as electron microscopy and/or atomic force microscopy and they apply the technique to a current problem that we are trying to solve. These problems include but are not limited to detection and localization of antibody-antigen interactions in biological systems, imaging live cells in biological systems in their natural environment, understanding chemical processes in subsurface science in relation to fate and transport of radio-nuclides in subsurface soil, identification of airborne particles in polluted areas, friction and adhesion in biofilm systems in the marine environment, characterization of elastic and chemical heterogeneities in paint polymers at a microscopic scale, development of laser-assisted time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy for practical applications, and characterization of surfaces and/or interfaces of materials of technological importance in such fields as semiconductors and fuel cells.
Our current research interests are concentrated in two broad areas, one relating to biophysics and the other to the development of mass spectroscopy for subsurface soil analysis. Both areas of activity involve collaboration in complementary disciplines such as microbiology, chemistry (and biochemistry), geology and astrobiology with scientists from INEEL, NASA, the University of Portsmouth in UK and the Carnegie Institute in Washington DC. The topics of research include detection and localization of terrestrial and extraterrestrial biomarkers using immunological techniques combined with chemical force microscopy, determination of adhesion and friction forces in marine biofilm systems using chemical force microscopy,
understanding the fixation of cells by laser irradiation, and laser-assisted secondary ion emission for molecular characterization of mineral surfaces at a microscopic scale and its application to subsurface mineral analysis.
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Richard Smith - Ion Beams Laboratory
(http://ww w.physics.montana.edu/IonBeams/IonBeams.html)
Dr. Richard Smith directs the ion beam laboratory where undergraduate students will be invited to participate in a variety of research projects. These include: (1) characterization of the structure of thin metal films grown on single-crystal substrates, and the development of models for describing ordered thin film growth; and (2) use of ion beam techniques to characterize the growth of oxides on metals at high temperature and the absorption of hydrogen into metals. Students will be directly involved in the planning, execution and analysis of experiments, working as part of a team with graduate students and post-doctoral associates. Experimental techniques used in the laboratory include: Auger and photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, elastic recoil ion spectroscopy, and nuclear reaction analysis. The undergraduates presently in Dr. Smith's laboratory enjoy the mix of materials science and accelerator-related hardware. In addition, the level of physics understanding required, namely Rutherford scattering and particle kinematics with a touch of quantum mechanics and atomic electronic structure, seems to be just right for most of these students. Interest is easily motivated as students learn how widespread these various techniques are in industrial R&D, and they see applications ranging from electronic thin-film device fabrication, to advanced aerospace materials and solid oxide fuel cell development.
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Aleksander Rebane - Optical materials research
(http:// www.physics.montana.edu/faculty/rebane/index.htm)
Dr. Rebane is currently working on a number of projects ranging from applied optics to fundamental research in nonlinear optics and ultrafast processes in spectroscopy. Specific topics include: materials with large two-photon absorption cross-section for nonlinear optical devices and photomedicine, femtosecond time-andspace- domain holography for high density optical storage; coherent transients in resonance media for optical processing; parametric generation and amplification in crystals; photo-induced nonlinearity in glasses; femtosecond studies of other unconventional photoactive materials.
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Galina Malovichko - Magnetic Spectroscopy of Defects in Solids
http://www.physics.montana.edu/eprlab/
http://www.physics.montana.edu/faculty/Malovichko/
Dr. G.Malovichko is the head of Magnetic Spectroscopy Group. This group study extrinsic (impurity) and intrinsic defects, and their interactions in order to tailor properties of modern materials for photonics and communication technologies. These materials are extremely far-reaching for advanced applications of XXI century (high speed, high-density, non-volatile computer memory; light sources, photonic processors, telecommunication). The group use for the research a variety of magnetic resonance techniques (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, EPR, Electron Nuclear Double Resonance, ENDOR, simultaneous EPR-optical spectroscopy), since these methods give reliable information about impurity positions, local surroundings of impurities, their charge states, mechanisms of charge compensation, defect recharge processes, correlated distribution of dopant atoms etc.
REU students will have opportunities to:
1) to study defect related features of undoped, single and double-doped materials of different compositions and concentrations of various dopants with the help of the EPR and ENDOR
2) to clarify the structures of correlated defects in the novel materials on the atomic level
3) to study the main physical interrelations of optically active impurities and surrounding in these materials
4) to apply resonance methods for the characterization of various materials
5) to participate in the simulation of the EPR/ENDOR spectra using quantum-mechanical approach; 6) to learn a background of defect engineering.
6) III-B. Experimental Research Facilities:
REU students will have unlimited access to the Electron Spin Resonance spectrometer ESR-935 Varian for learning the setup and for self-motivated exercises. Together with graduated students or postdocs they can also work at the modern Bruker EPR/ENDOR spectrometer ELEXYS-560, operating at 9 and 35 GHz in the temperature range 2-300 K (the only in USA). This spectrometer is unique, high-performance, multifunctional system, which gives indispensable information about defect structure on the atomic level. The samples of advanced materials for photonics and information technology applications will be studied. The desktop PC with the "Visual EPR" and "Visual ENDOR" programs for the treatment and simulation of experimental spectra is available. REU students will be involved in the solution of real life tasks at the cutting edge of the condensed matter physics research.
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Alan Craig - Spectroscopic Investigations of Quantum Dots
Current research examines the optical spectroscopic properties of semiconductor quantum dots, introducing spin-preferred excited state electrons by means of illumination with circularly polarized light. Extended persistence of the spin state should result, since spin exhibits both spin-flip and scattering (i.e. phase) lifetimes that far exceed those of the attendant excited state population. The size-dependent spectral response of quantum dots introduces inhomogeneously broadened absorption. Spectral discrimination of at least several hundred distinguishable frequency channels is expected. Foreseen application is in spectral hole-burning optical memory. Related investigations explore the relation of spectral and temporal optical response signatures in engineered materials and their import for quantum scale information processing capabilities. Other technical interests include atomic force microscopy and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) for single molecule (or quantum dot) spatial discrimination as well as for surface pattern delineation. In addition, optical guided wave techniques and resonant structures are explored for device concepts and structures.
Mingzhen Tian and Wm. Randall Babbitt – Photonics, Signal Processing, and Quantum Computing
Babbitt Group Homepage
Research makes use of rare-earth ion based materials for applications in quantum computing and photonics for signal processing and analysis. The projects involve fundamental studies of the properties of rare-earth doped crystals, interactions with laser pulses and magnetic field, and applications in quantum information science, optical signal storage and processing. Students will gain hands-on experience with state-of-art equipment commonly used in LASER physics research facilities through participation in these research activities.
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