Collaboratory for the Epitaxy of Nanomaterials

In the CEN, we work at the convergence between condensed matter physics, materials science and electrical engineering. With appointments both in the Department of Physics and the Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering, Dr. Simmonds is a firm believer in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration for solving the biggest, most important problems, and this is the spirit in which our group pursues research. Specific research interests within the CEN center on the synthesis of novel semiconductor nanomaterials and nanostructures, for example quantum dots, 2D materials, thin films and nanowires. To do this we use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), an advanced technique for growing ultrapure semiconductor crystals with atomic-level control over nanomaterial size. As we explore these nanomaterials, we gain a deeper understanding of the physics underlying their behavior, allowing us to tailor their properties for specific applications. The nanomaterials we design and create enable us to tackle various key problems in modern physics, from quantum cryptography to spintronics.