Overview

The research efforts of our group are directed towards 1.) developing basic understanding of the mechanics and physics which govern processes used to create ultraprecision surfaces and thin films, and 2.) the investigation of the mechanical, chemical, electrical and photonic nature of the surfaces which result.

Specifically, studies have focused on:

• creation of ultraprecision surfaces and thin films by mechanical and chemomechanical polishing, nanometric cutting, ultraprecision machining, photoelectrochemical etching, sol-gel deposition, laser recrystallization and ion beam modification
• investigation of both the surface and near surface state in terms of topography, chemistry, structure, and mechanical, electrical and photonic properties.

Our group utilizes various techniques to probe the nature of the surface including ion backscattering spectroscopy, nanoindentation, luminescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and various scanning probe microscopies.

The nature of our work is inherently interdisciplinary and involves mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry and applied physics.

Our research is funded by NSF, DOE, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).