9733994 Thibado This CAREER project is focused on measurement and modeling of diffusion, nucleation and growth properties of individual atoms on III-V(OO1) surfaces. A multi-chamber facility with molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) will allow the study of sub-monolayer films on otherwise flat surfaces as a function of substrate temperature and elemental V-flux, quenching to room temperature and measurement of the island number density, island size, and island separation distributions. From the combination of these measurements and random walk simulations diffusion rate versus substrate temperature, activation energy for diffusion, critical island size for nucleation, and the role of element V-flux on the elemental III- atom diffusion will be assessed. These studies will act as a test bed for a variety of computational models, ranging from first principles theory to rate equation modeling. The proposed research provides an excellent vehicle to accomplish a broad educational objective of expanding career opportunities for students. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in research acquiring skills in semiconductor heterostructure design, processing, and characterization. The PI will also establish collaborations with national laboratories and industry. A hands-on lecture-lab course, in which students will utilize semiconductor samples directly from the MBE system to fabricate and measure properties of devices, and to participate in quantum well laser surface science aspects of metal-semiconductor interfaces will be developed as part of research and education integration to enhance studentsO general experimental and analytical skills, and to improve learning through discovery. %%% The project addresses forefront research issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The research will contribute basic materials science knowledge at a fundamental level to important aspect s of electronic materials and devices. An important feature of the program is the emphasis on education, and on the integration of research and education through the training of students in a fundamentally and technologically significant research area. ***
