Research Interests

Our research interest is in the area of wide band gap semiconductors. Currently, our research focuses on ohmic contact formation on SiC.  Nano-structured film fabrications, interfacial reactions, and the mechanism of electron transfer on SiC interface are being investigated.  Nano-size graphitic carbon and metal graphitic composites are promising new electrical materials for microelectronic industry, since the work functions can be modified by nano-structural changes.  Two patent applications have been filed. A new project of catalyst-free carbon nanotubes (CNT) growth on SiC has been developed, and the on-going research is focused on structural controls, the growth mechanism of catalyst-free CNT, and the applications as electron emitting materials.

Other research interests include "soft" processed nano-porous composite materials, electrical contacts on polymeric semiconductors, and polymer crystallization processes using scanning probe microscopy (SPM).

We are working closely with Prof. Freeman-Junior (Biology) on biological detection and sensing, and morphological structures on bacteria using SPM.
 

A Few Recent Publications:

• "Crystalline Polymer Structures and their Formations Characterized by Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM)", W. J. Lu, W.E. Collins, K. Debelak, and A. Witt, Polymer News, 25(11), 365 (2000). (Feature Article)
• "Materials Selection and Interfacial Structures in Ohmic Contacts on SiC", W. Lu, W. E. Mitchel, and W. E. Collins, in "SiC Power Materials and Devices", edited by Z. C. Feng, Springer-Verlag, submitted and scheduled to be published in early 2004. (Book Chapter)
• "Carbon Structural Transitions and Ohmic Contacts on 4H-SiC", Weijie Lu, W. C. Mitchel, Candis A. Thornton, G. R. Landis, and W. Eugene Collins, Journal of Electrical Materials, 32(5), 426 (2003).
• "Ohmic Contac Behavior of Carbon films on SiC", Weijie Lu, W. C. Mitchel, Candis A. Thornton, and W. Eugene Collins, J. Electrochem Soc., 150 (3), G177-82, 2003.
• "Electrical Contact Behavior of Ni/C60/4H-SiC", Weijie Lu, W. C. Mitchel, G. R. Landis, T. R. Crenshaw, S. R. Smith, and W. Eugene Collins, J. Vac. Sci. & Tech. A. 21(4), 1510, 2003.
• "Metal Catalytic Graphitization Activities and Ohmic Contact Formation on 4H-SiC", Weijie Lu, W. C. Mitchel, G. R. Landis, T. R. Crenshaw, and W. Eugene Collins, J. Appl. Phys, 91, 5397 (2003).
• "Ohmic Contact Properties of Ni/C Film on 4H-SiC", Weijie Lu, W. C. Mitchel, G. R. Landis, T. Crenshaw, and W. Eugene Collins, Solid State Electronics, 47, 2001 (2003).
• "Structural Features of crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymer (PET)" W.J. Lu, K. Debelak, C. Yang, W.E. Collins, A. Witt, C. Lott, J. Polymer Science, Phys. Ed. 40 (3), 245 (2002).