Christopher Moore
Assistant Professor of Physics | Longwood University
Research
I am currently working on two research projects: (1) chemical synthesis of nano-materials and (2) local electrical characterization of large bandgap semiconductors. If you are a Longwood student interested in either project (or you are interested in another cool experimental project), please contact me.
(1) Chemical synthesis of nano-materials
Nanowires of semiconductor materials can be grown via electrodeposition in an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) porous template. The AAO template allows for growth of nanowires having diameters between 25-100 nm. Characterization of these nanowire films is carried out via Keithley source-measure units (for multiple wire configurations) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and conductive AFM (for single wire configurations). Systems being studied include ZnO, CdS and CdSe. Each of these systems is photosensitive and photocurrent studies are planned. These studies will require construction of a pulse-UV laser, which is only a student project away. (Want to build a laser? Contact me.)
Equipment available at Longwood University: Buehler Electromet-4 electropolishing station, Keithley 2400 source-measure unit, AC/DC electrodeposition station, home-built AFM with RHK electronics.
(2) Local electrical characterization of large bandgap semiconductors
In collaboration with Dr. Alison Baski at Virginia Commonwealth University, we are studying the local electrical behavior of various semiconductor systems. Specifically, we are studying current leakage defects on GaN surfaces, electron trapping and band-bending at the surface of GaN films, and surface electrical properties of polar bulk ZnO. A well-defined undergraduate project studying the current conduction mechanisms of GaN leakage defects is planned for the Summer or 2008. We are looking for a student. (Want to be a published scientist as an undergrad? Contact me.)
Equipment available at VCU: Veeco 3100 AFM, conductive AFM (CAFM), scanning kelvin probe microscope (SKPM), Omicron scanning tunneling microscope (STM), thermal and e-beam evaporation.
(3) Other projects
If you are interested in building a microscope that can image atoms, then construction of a scanning tunneling microscope would make an excellent year-long senior honors thesis. I'm also interested in any project that requires building something, blowing something up, or taking something apart.
Publications
“Sublimation behavior of SiO2 from low- and high-index silicon surfaces,” J.C. Moore, J.L Skrobiszewski, A.A. Baski. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 25, 4, 812-815 (2007).
"Carrier relaxation and stimulated emission in ZnO nanorods grown by catalyst-assisted vapor transport on various substrates," Zinc Oxide Materials and Devices II, (Ed. F.H. Teherani, C.W. Litton), Proc. of SPIE 64741M (2007).
“AFM and CAFM studies of ELO GaN films,” V. Kasliwal, J.C. Moore, X. Ni, H. Morkoc, A.A. Baski, Gallium Nitride Materials and Devices II, (Ed. H. Morkoc, C.W. Litton), Proc. of SPIE 647308 (2007).
"Local electronic and optical behavior of a-plane GaN grown via epitaxial lateral overgrowth,” J.C. Moore, V. Kasliwal, X. Ni, U. Ozgur, H. Morkoc, A.A. Baski, Appl. Phy. Lett. 90, 011913 (2007).
“Effect of temperature on the growth of InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown on a strained GaAs layer”, I. Ahmad, J.C. Moore, V. Avrurtin, A.A. Baski, H. Morkoc, J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 7, 8, 2889-2893(5) (2007).
“Study of leakage defects on GaN films by conductive atomic force microscopy,” J.C. Moore, J.E. Ortiz, J. Xie, H. Morkoç, A.A. Baski. J. Phy. 61, 1, 90-94 (2007).
“Morphology and optical properties of ZnO nanorods grown by catalyst-assisted vapor transport on various substrates,” V. Avrutin, Ü. Özgür, N. Izyumskaya, S. Chevtchenko, J. Leach, J.C. Moore, A. A. Baski, H. O. Everitt, K. T. Tsen, P. Ruterana, H. Morkoç, MRS Symp. Proc., 963E (Fall 2006).
"Comparative study of the (0001) and (0001bar) surfaces of ZnO," S.A. Chevtchenko, J.C. Moore, Ü. Özgür, X. Gu, A.A. Baski, H. Morkoç, B. Nemeth, and J.E. Nause, Appl. Phy. Lett. 89, 182111 (2006).
“Conductive atomic force microscopy study of MBE GaN films,” J.C. Moore, K.A. Cooper, J. Xie, H. Morkoç, A.A. Baski, Gallium Nitride Materials and Device (Ed. C.W. Litton), Proc. of SPIE 6121, 61210J-1,6 (2006).
“Effects of hydrogen on the morphology and electrical properties of GaN grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy,” Y. Dong, R.M. Feenstra, D.W. Greve, J.C. Moore, M.D. Sievert, A.A. Baski, Appl. Phy. Lett. 86, (2005).
“Au-induced faceting of the Si (5 5 12) surface,” J.D. Dickinson, J.C. Moore, A.A. Baski, Surf. Sci. 561 (2004).
“Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of oxide growth and etching on Si(5 5 12),” J.L. Skrobiszewski, J.C. Moore, J.W. Dickinson, A.A. Baski, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 22 (2004).
“Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of the Cu:Si(5 5 12) System,” P.H. Woodworth, J.C. Moore, A.A. Baski, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A. 21, 1332 (2003).
“Oxygen Etching of Si(5 5 12) and Related Surfaces,” J.C. Moore, P.H. Woodworth, J.L. Skrobiszewski, A.A. Baski, Surf. Sci. 532-535, 711 (2003).
Conference presentations"Carrier relaxation and stimulated emission in ZnO nanorods grown by
catalyst-assisted vapor transport on various substrates," Talk
SPIE International Conference (January 2007)
"AFM and CAFM studies of ELO GaN films," Talk
SPIE International Conferency (January 2007)
“Morphology and optical properties of ZnO nanorods grown by catalyst-assisted
vapor transport on various substrates,” Poster
MRS Fall Meeting (November 2006)
“Comparative study of surface properties for Zn- and O-face bulk ZnO”
AVS
54th International Symposium (sub. for November 2006)
“Optical characterization of electrochemically
self-assembled ZnO nanowires”
Electrochemical Society Meeting (October
2006)
“No blood for platinum: cheaper alternatives for fuel cell catalysts,”
Talk
Seminar, Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University
(October 2006)
“Localized electronic behavior of large bandgap semiconductor systems,”
Poster presentation
Graduate Poster Session, Department of Chemistry,
Virginia Commonwealth University (October 2006)
“AFM and conductive AFM studies of MBE GaN films,” Talk
14th International
Conference on Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Related Techniques (June
2006)
“Conductive atomic force microscopy study of forward and reverse current
conduction in MBE GaN films,” Talk
SPIE International Conference (January
2006)
“Sublimation Behavior of SiO2 from low- and high-index silicon surfaces,”
Poster presentation
AVS 52nd International Symposium (November 2004)
“Oxygen reactivity of clean and Au/Cu-induced high-index Si surfaces,” Poster
presentation
AVS 50th International Symposium (November 2002)
“STM studies of oxygen etching on Si(5 5 12),” Poster presentation
VCU
Graduate Student Association Poster Session (March 2002)
“Au induced faceting of Si(5 5 12),” Poster presentation
AVS 49th
International Symposium (November 2001)
“Integrating Research in the Undergraduate Experience,” Talk
AAPT
Chesapeake Section Spring Meeting (April 2001)
“High Coverage Growth of Sn:Si(5 5 12),” Talk
Mid-Atlantic Regional
Conference of Undergraduate Scholarship (October 2000)
“Mechanical response of wood speaker enclosures,” Talk
National Conference
on Undergraduate Research (April 1999)