Background
- Received Bachelors Degree in Physics from Eastern Illinois University in 1984
- Received Ph.D in Physics from the University of Delaware in 1990
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. from 1990 to 1992
- Began teaching at UWEC in 1992.
Teaching
- Physical Science PHYS 100 (Use this link course webpage)
- College Physics PHYS 211
- Electronics PHYS 360
- Lab View Computer Interfacing PHYS491
- Electric Circuits PHYS 350
- Surface Physics / Thin Films PHYS 491
Research
My research interests are classed under the broad topic of surface science. They involve both fundamental research and the development of applied technologies. All of the projects involve undergraduate student collaborators.
At present I am involved in two projects.
One project has been funded by the "Materials Research Society". It involves determining the conditions under which long finger-like structures form on the surface of Ag/Cu alloys during ion bombardment. Our results are important to those involved in surface characterization of alloys.
The other project involves large aspect ratio interconnect metallization. In this project we are taking advantage of the unique properties of our ion source. The goal is to develop a sputtering technique to fill the deep trenches used as interconnects between devices on integrated circuits.
We are also processing Transmission Electron Microscopy samples for a local semiconductor company.
Students are involved in these projects at all levels of sophistication and receive course credits or hourly pay for their work. In addition, during the last few years we have presented our work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, local and national meetings of the American Vacuum Society, American Physical Society March Meeting, other midwest university conferences and the annual UWEC Student Research Day.
