Bio:

I am currently a first year research MSc student studying surface passivation and the electronic properties of InN (Indium Nitride), and related alloys such as AlInN and InGaN. I graduated from the University of Warwick in 2011 with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, my final year research project being the simulation of the defocussing effects of gravity on Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) experiments, with the goal of resolving the defocussing to improve resolution.

My supervisors for my MSc are Prof. Chris McConville and Dr. Gavin Bell.

Research interests:

My current research concentrates on investigations of the electronic properties of indium nitride (InN) and related alloys and how they react under chemical passivation with sulphur containing compounds (e.g. (NH4)₂S₂ and S₂Cl₂). InN is a narrow band-gap semiconductor material, which, when alloyed with Gallium, has a direct bandgap that spans the entire optical spectrum, thereby giving it potential applications in solar cells and high speed electronics and optoelectronics. The aim of the chemical passivation is to remove the electron accumulation layer at the surface so that it can be used in electronic devices.

Techniques:

This project will require the application of a range of experimental techniques for determining the surface structure and the electronic properties of the passivated and un-passivated surfaces. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) will be used to probe the electronic properties of the bulk and surface via valence band photoemission spectroscopy and to perform surface chemical analysis via core-level photoemission spectroscopy. The availability of low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) now fitted to the Warwick HR-XPS instrument will significantly expand the type of information that can be obtained about the samples. Optical absorption spectroscopy, infrared reflectivity and Hall Effect measurements will also be employed to determine the band gap, bulk conduction band plasma frequency, carrier concentration and mobility in these materials.

Write to:

Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL

Contact Details:

Office: P459
Telephone:
+44 (0)2476151776
E-Mail:
earl.davis@warwick.ac.uk

Links:

Surface Science Research Group