Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Fabrication Of Black Phosphorus Terahertz Photoconductive Antennas, Nathan Tanner Sawyers

Physics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Terahertz (THz) photoconductive antennas (PCAs) using 40nm thin-film flakes of black phosphorus (BP) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have been shown computationally to be capable of THz emission comparable to those based on GaAs [2]. In this paper, I briefly describe the scientific and practical interest in THz emissions and explain what warrants research into black phosphorus as a photoconductive semiconductor in THz devices. Furthermore, I outline the basic principle of how these antennas work and mention alternative designs produced by other researchers in the past. Finally, I summarize the fabrication process of these antennas, as well as the measurements …

Engineering Rare-Earth Based Color Centers In Wide Bandgap Semiconductors For Quantum And Nanoscale Applications, Gabriel I. López-Morales

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

For many years, atomic point-defects have been readily used to tune the bulk properties of solid-state crystalline materials, for instance, through the inclusion of elemental impurities (doping) during growth, or post-processing treatments such as ion bombardment or high-energy irradiation. Such atomic point-defects introduce local ‘incompatible’ chemical interactions with the periodic atomic arrangement that makes up the crystal, resulting for example in localized electronic states due to dangling bonds or excess of electrons. When present in sufficient concentrations, the defects interact collectively to alter the overall bulk properties of the host material. In the low concentration limit, however, point-defects can serve …

Electrical And Optical Characterization Of Two-Dimensional Semiconductors Using Ultrafast Spectroscopy, Pan Adhikari

All Dissertations

The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials provides unprecedented opportunities for studying excitonic physics due to the strong Coulomb interaction between the electron-hole pair. Because of the reduced dimensionality and weak dielectric screening, the exciton is stable at room temperature, unlike bulk semiconductors. The evolution from low to high carrier density for optical gain in 2D semiconductors involves insulating exciton gas, exciton condensation, co-existence of various excitonic complexes, electron-hole plasmas (EHPs), or electron-hole liquids (EHLs), leading to the Mott transition. Strong interaction among the excitons, such as exciton-exciton annihilation (EEA), serves as a hot-carrier generation. A bound exciton dissociates into …

Theoretical Investigations Of The Structural, Dynamical, Electronic, Magnetic, And Thermoelectric Properties Of Corhysi (Y = Cr, Mn) Quaternary Heusler Alloys, Abdullah Hussain Hzzazi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Thermoelectric materials have potential properties for utilizing waste heat. The computations are used to estimate the electronic structure of CoRhYSi (Y = Cr, Mn) Quaternary Heusler alloys, as well as their elastic and magnetic characteristics. The full-potential linearized augmented plane wave is used in the calculations. The exchange-correlations are addressed using Perdew–Burke and Ernzerhof's generalized gradient approximation (GGA-PBE). With the exception of CoRhCrSi and CoRhMnSi, which are simple ferromagnets that are approximately half metallic in nature, electronic structure calculations demonstrate that these compounds have a gap in the minority states band and are obviously half-metallic ferromagnets. The magnetic moments of …

Fundamental Transport Properties In Silicon Quantum Structures, Nazban M. Darukhanawalla

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In the field of silicon photonics, there is an effort to bridge the gap between electrical and optical signals on a single platform, creating a need for Si-based light sources. In this project, Si quantum structures – Si quantum wells and quantum dots in SiO2 were fabricated via solid state precipitation methods. Their properties were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence and I-V measurements. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy was used for depth analysis in monitoring the Si distribution. Different electrical transport mechanisms were explored to understand how an ensemble of silicon QD’s or a silicon quantum well behaves in an SiO2 …

Data Processing & Analysis For Atomic Force Microscopy (Afm), Molly Mcdonough, Polievkt Perov, Walter Johnson, Stevan Radojev

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) has become a critical tool for characterization of materials in fields such as physics, material science, chemistry, and biology. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is an increasingly useful technique because of its high resolution in three dimensions, the sample does not need to be conductive, and the technique does not need to take place in vacuum. AFM can image a wide variety of topographies and many different types of materials. AFM can deliver 3D topography information from the angstrom level to the micron scale with high resolution. One of the most important aspects of Atomic Force Microscopy …

Ii-Vi Type-Ii Quantum Dot Superlattices For Novel Applications, Vasilios Deligiannakis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this thesis, we discuss the growth procedure and the characterization results obtained for epitaxially grown submonolayer type-II quantum dot superlattices made of II-VI semiconductors. We have investigated the spin dynamics of ZnSe layers with embedded type-II ZnTe quantum dots and the use of (Zn)CdTe/ZnCdSe QDs for intermediate band solar cell (IBSC). Samples with a higher quantum dot density exhibit longer electron spin lifetimes, up to ~1 ns at low temperatures. Tellurium isoelectronic centers, which form in the ZnSe spacer regions as a result of the growth conditions, were also probed. A new growth sequence for type-II (Zn)CdTe/ZnCdSe (QDs) was …

Using Fundamental Properties Of Light To Investigate Photonic Effects In Condensed Matter And Biological Tissues, Laura A. Sordillo

Dissertations and Theses

Light possesses characteristics such as polarization, wavelength and coherence. The interaction of light and matter, whether in a semiconductor or in a biological sample, can reveal important information about the internal properties of a system. My thesis focuses on two areas: photocarriers in gallium arsenide and biomedical optics. Varying the excitation wavelength can be used to study both biological tissue and condensed matter. I altered the excitation wavelengths to be in the longer near-infrared (NIR) optical windows, in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range, a wavelength region previously thought to be unusable for medical imaging. With this method, I acquired high …

Electron Transport In One And Two Dimensional Materials, Samuel William Lagasse

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation presents theoretical and experimental studies in carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and van der Waals heterostructures. The first half of the dissertation focuses on cutting edge tight-binding-based quantum transport models which are used to study proton irradiation-induced single-event effects in carbon nanotubes [1], total ionizing dose effects in graphene [2], quantum hall effect in graded graphene p-n junctions [3], and ballistic electron focusing in graphene p-n junctions [4]. In each study, tight-binding models are developed, with heavy emphasis on tying to experimental data. Once benchmarked against experiment, properties of each system which are difficult to access in the laboratory, …

Detecting Majorana Fermion Induced Crossed Andreev Reflection, Lei Fang

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation is devoted to a study of detecting the Majorana fermion induced crossed Andreev reflection.

Majorana fermions are particles that constitute their own antiparticles. In condensed matter physics, Majorana fermions are zero energy modes that reside at edges or around vortices of topological superconductors. The special properties of Majorana fermions result in their potential to conduct topological quantum computation, which has been attracting a lot of current research. One of the most important issues in the field of the Majorana fermion physics now is to detect their existence in realistic systems. Among many classes of detecting methods, a transport …

Synthesis And Fundamental Property Studies Of Energy Material Under High Pressure., Meysam Akhtar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, high-pressure science and technology has flourished and rapidly advanced to impact a wide domain of materials and physical sciences. One of the most substantial technological developments is the integration of samples at ultrahigh pressure with a wide range of in-situ probing techniques. Applications of extreme pressure have significantly enriched our understanding of the electronic, phonon, and doping effects on the newly emerged two-dimensional (2D) materials. Under high pressure, materials’ atomic volume radically decreases, and electronic density rises, which will lead to extraordinary chemical reaction kinetic and mechanisms. The promising capability of high pressure combine with the significance of novel …

Titanium Trisulfide Monolayer: Theoretical Prediction Of A New Direct-Gap Semiconductor With High And Anisotropic Carrier Mobility, Jun Dai, Xiao Cheng Zeng

Xiao Cheng Zeng Publications

A new two-dimensional (2D) layered material, namely, titanium trisulfide (TiS₃) monolayer, is predicted to possess novel electronic properties. Ab initio calculations show that the perfect TiS₃ monolayer is a direct-gap semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.02 eV, close to that of bulk silicon, and with high carrier mobility. More remarkably, the in-plane electron mobility of the 2D TiS₃ is highly anisotropic, amounting to about 10,000 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ in the b direction, which is higher than that of the MoS₂ monolayer, whereas the hole mobility is about two orders of magnitude lower. …

Exchange Mechanisms In Macroscopic Ordered Organic Magnetic Semiconductors, Naveen Rawat

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Small molecule organic semiconductors such as phthalocyanines and their derivatives represent a very interesting alternative to inorganic semiconductor materials for the development of flexible electronic devices such as organic thin field effect transistors, organic Light Emitting Diodes and photo-voltaic cells. Phthalocyanine molecules can easily accommodate a variety of metal atoms as well in the central core of the molecule, resulting in wide range of magnetic properties. Exploration of optical properties of organic crystalline semiconductors thin films is challenging due to sub-micron grain sizes and the presence of numerous structural defects, disorder and grain boundaries. However, this can be overcome by …

Control Of Majorana Edge Modes By A G-Factor Engineered Nanowire Spin Transistor, Amrit De, Alexey Kovalev

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Faculty Publications

We propose the manipulation of Majorana edge states via hybridization and spin currents in a nanowire spin transistor. The spin transistor is based on a heterostructure nanowire comprising of semiconductors with large and small g-factors that form the topological and non-topological regions respectively. The hybridization of bound edge states results in spin currents and 4π-periodic torques, as a function of the relative magnetic field angle – an effect which is dual to the fractional Josephson effect. We establish relation between torques and spin-currents in the non-topological region where the magnetic field is almost zero and spin is …

Investigation Of Carrier Transit Motion In Pcdtbt By Optical Shg Technique, Shahino Mah Abdullah

Shahino Mah Abdullah

We analyze the carrier transit behavior in poly[N-9'-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT), which has been reported as a donor material for efficient bulk hetero junction photovolatic devices. The transfer and transient carrier mobilities in the PCDTBT thin films have been measured and analyzed. The transfer mobility has been measured by the transfer curve of the OFET, whereas, the transient mobility is recorded using a time-resolved electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic-generation (TRM-SHG) technique. Using TRM-SHG technique, the dynamic motion of the charge carriers in the PCDTBT thin films has been directly visualized. We anticipate that the analysis of the carrier motion by TRM-SHG, will be effective …

Below Gap Optical Absorption In Gaas Driven By Intense, Single-Cycle Coherent Transition Radiation, J. Goodfellow, Matthias Fuchs, D. Daranciang, S. Ghimire, F. Chen, H. Loos, D. A. Reis, A. S. Fisher, A. M. Lindenberg

Matthias Fuchs Publications

Single-cycle terahertz fields generated by coherent transition radiation from a relativistic electron beam are used to study the high field optical response of single crystal GaAs. Large amplitude changes in the sub-band-gap optical absorption are induced and probed dynamically by measuring the absorption of a broad-band optical beam generated by transition radiation from the same electron bunch, providing an absolutely synchronized pump and probe geometry. This modification of the optical properties is consistent with strong-field-induced electroabsorption. These processes are pertinent to a wide range of nonlinear terahertz-driven lightmatter interactions anticipated at accelerator-based sources.

Investigation Of Charge Transport In Organic Polymer Donor/Acceptor Photovolatic Materials, Zubair Ahmad, Shahino Mah Abdullah, Khaulah Sulaiman

Shahino Mah Abdullah

Pi-conjugated organic semiconductors have long been used as either holes or electrons transport materials. Recently ambipolar charge carrier transport in these materials have been reported in many investigations. In this paper, we report on the basis of experimental results that the organic semiconductor (donor/acceptor) materials can be as good electrons transporters as these materials are holes transporters. In our study, the solution-processed unipolar diodes based on organic materials P3HT, VOPCPhO and their blends with PCBM have been fabricated. The I-V characteristics of these diodes have been analyzed in the space charge limited current regime. The values of the electron and …

Investigation Of Charge Transport In Organic Polymer Donor/Acceptor Photovolatic Materials, Zubair Ahmad, Shahino Mah Abdullah, Khaulah Sulaiman

Zubair Ahmad

Pi-conjugated organic semiconductors have long been used as either holes or electrons transport materials. Recently ambipolar charge carrier transport in these materials have been reported in many investigations. In this paper, we report on the basis of experimental results that the organic semiconductor (donor/acceptor) materials can be as good electrons transporters as these materials are holes transporters. In our study, the solution-processed unipolar diodes based on organic materials P3HT, VOPCPhO and their blends with PCBM have been fabricated. The I-V characteristics of these diodes have been analyzed in the space charge limited current regime. The values of the electron and …

Enhancing The Performance Of Organic Thin Film Transistors By Cross-Linking The Organic Gate Dielectric, Soheila Naderi Gohar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Amongst various surface modification techniques, hyperthermal hydrogen induced cross-linking (HHIC) has been used to modify the surface of polymeric samples. In this novel and innovative technique neutral hydrogen projectiles with appropriate kinetic energy are produced to generate carbon radicals on the impacted surface through the collision-induced C-H bond breaking. Subsequently, this phenomenon results in cross-linking hydrocarbon chains in the treated polymeric samples.

Verifying the validity of cross-linking process through experiments is the target of first part of presented dissertation. Spin-coated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films on silicon wafer were exposed to hydrogen projectiles for different durations, while the other conditions related …

How Much Can Guided Modes Enhance Absorption In Thin Solar Cells?, Peter N. Saeta, Vivian E. Ferry, Domenico Pacifici, Jeremy N. Munday, Harry A. Atwater

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

Absorption enhancement in thin metal-backed solar cells caused by dipole scatterers embedded in the absorbing layer is studied using a semi-analytical approach. The method accounts for changes in the radiation rate produced by layers above and below the dipole, and treats incoherently the subsequent scattering of light in guided modes from other dipoles. We find large absorption enhancements for strongly coupled dipoles, exceeding the ergodic limit in some configurations involving lossless dipoles. An antireflection-coated 100-nm layer of a-Si:H on Ag absorbs up to 87% of incident above-gap light. Thin layers of both strong and weak absorbers show similar strongly enhanced …

Heat Transport In Sb2àXvxte3 Single Crystals, Jeffrey Dyck, W. Chen, C. Uher, Č. DrašAr, P. LošŤÁK

Jeffrey Dyck

Antimony telluride doped with small concentrations of vanadium was recently identified as a diluted magnetic semiconductor. We present a study of the heat transport in single crystals of [formula] with [formula] 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03. Thermopower and thermal conductivity were measured from 1.5 K to 300 K. The thermopower is positive for all samples investigated and has a modest dependence on vanadium content. At low temperatures, the lattice thermal conductivity has an approximate [formula] dependence and the data up to 100 K can be fitted well assuming that phonons scatter on boundaries, point defects, charge carriers, and other phonons. Theoretical …

Transport Properties Of Polycrystalline Type-I Sn Clathrates, G. S. Nolas, J. L. Cohn, Jeffrey Dyck, C. Uher, J. Lang

Jeffrey Dyck

Thermal conductivity, resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and Hall measurements on polycrystalline Sn-clathrate compounds with the type-I hydrate crystal structure are reported. Interstitial alkali-metal atoms in these compounds reside inside polyhedral cavities formed by the tetrahedrally bonded Sn network atoms. Localized disorder associated with “rattling” motion of these interstitial atoms contributes to the low thermal conductivity of these semiconducting compounds. The Hall coefficient and resistivity for some compounds exhibit nonmonotonic temperature dependences consistent with a crossover with decreasing temperature from conduction-band to impurity-band conduction. The carrier mobility is found to be low even in the absence of interstitial atoms within the Sn …

Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors Based On Sb2àXvxte3 „0.01ïXï0.03., Jeffrey Dyck, Pavel Hájek, Petr LošŤÁK, Ctirad Uher

Jeffrey Dyck

We report on a diluted magnetic semiconductor based on the [formula] tetradymite structure doped with very low concentrations of vanadium (1—3 at. %). The anomalous transport behavior and robust magnetic hysteresis loops observed in magnetotransport and magnetic measurements are experimental manifestations of the ferromagnetic state in these materials. The [formula] exchange between holes and vanadium [formula] spins is estimated from the behavior of the magnetoresistance. A Curie temperature of at least 22 K is observed for [formula] This discovery offers possibilities for exploring magnetic properties of other tetradymite structure semiconductors doped with a wide range of [formula] transition metals.

Effect Of Ni On The Transport And Magnetic Properties Of Co1àXnixsb3, Jeffrey Dyck, Wei Chen, Jihui Yang, Gregory P. Meisner, Ctirad Uher

Jeffrey Dyck

The filled skutterudite compounds based on the binary skutterudite [formula] are currently being investigated for their potential applications as thermoelectric materials. One route to optimization of these compounds is by doping on the Co site. An obvious candidate for an n-type dopant is Ni, since it has one more electron in its valence shell than Co. Up to now, however, only high concentrations of Ni in [formula] have been studied; and the valence of Ni in this compound and its influence on the transport and magnetic properties has been an open question. We present electrical resistivity, thermopower, Hall effect, magnetoresistance, …

Low-Temperature Ferromagnetism And Magnetic Anisotropy In The Novel Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Sb2−Xvxte3, Jeffrey Dyck, Wei Chen, Pavel Hájek, Petr Lošt’Ák, Ctirad Uher

Jeffrey Dyck

We report on a novel diluted magnetic semiconductor based on the Sb2Te3 tetradymite structure doped with very low concentrations of vanadium (1–3at%). Anisotropy in the magnetic hysteresis loops and magnetoresistance are observed at temperatures below the ferromagnetic ordering temperature. A Curie temperature of 24K is observed for Sb1.97V0.03Te3.