I am interested in a wide variety of physical and chemical phenomena that occur at solid surfaces or at interfaces. These processes are intellectually interesting because of dimensionality, challenging because of the small numbers of molecules involved and relevant to a number of important technologies such as heterogeneous catalysis and microelectronics. We approach these problems using a sophisticated array of modern surface spectroscopies, including surface Raman spectroscopy, which was pioneered in our laboratory. Our current research can be divided into two general areas: the surface chemistry of the polymer/metal interface and mechanistic studies of chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer epitaxy.

Polymer/metal interfaces

The polymer work relies upon the ability of surface Raman spectroscopy to probe surfaces both in ultrahigh vacuum, and under "real-world" conditions. We have elucidated the surface chemistry of monomers for polyimide, a technologically important polymer, and are extending these studies to probe general features of the polymer/metal interface.

Atomic layer epitaxy

We are studying the physical and chemical mechanisms that underlie chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer epitaxy, important processes for the deposition of thin films of electronic materials. In particular, we have focused upon how remote plasmas can assist the low temperature growth of epitaxial layers and how novel precursor molecules can produce the self-terminating layers necessary for atomic layer epitaxy . The long range goal of these studies is to provide a sound scientific basis for the development of future semiconductor manufacturing processes.