Femtosecond transient x-ray investigation of exciton and charge transfer dynamics in semiconductor nanostructures

University Of California-Berkeley, Berkeley CA

Investigators

Abstract

The Division of Chemistry supports Joshua Vura-Weis of the University of California - Berkeley as an American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow. Dr. Vura-Weis will use ultra-short (femtosecond) pulses of x-rays to probe the charge and exciting dynamics in semiconductor nanostructures. The femtosecond x-ray reflectivity experiments will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Steve Leone. Nanomaterials will be made using the expertise and facilities of the Molecular Foundry at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In addition, he will make steady-state x-ray measurements at the Advanced Light Source. For his plan for broadening participation, the PI will work to adapt curriculum materials developed for the SEPUP Program at the Lawrence Hall of Science for use by summer school students participating with the Breakthrough Collaborative -- a national consortium of 27 summer school programs for underserved but highly motivated students. Research like that of Dr. Vura-Weis is aimed at developing a better understanding of the ways in which a technologically important class of materials interacts with light. The hope is that this will lead to the development of superior materials for e.g. solar energy applications. The efforts at broadening participation being pursued by Dr. Vura-Weis are aimed at enabling the best and brightest young people to pursue careers in science.