SUNY Poly Ph.D. student and research assistant, Emma Rocco, attended the International Workshop on Nitride Semiconductors (IWN) in Berlin, Germany from October 9-21, 2022. On the final day of the conference, she was honored with the award of “Best Poster Presentation" for research that could enhance scientists’ ability to figure out the composition of stars and planets, and improve lithography, a process employed by the computer chip fabrication process.

The specific aim of the research presented by the award-winning poster is to investigate the incorporation efficiency of Mg p-type dopants within semi-polar and polar GaN facets, and the impact on photocathode quantum efficiency. A selective area growth technique was used to establish hexagonal pyramids with semi-polar facets on both Ga- and N-polar GaN films, and the Mg-doped films grown on top of the pyramids. Improved photocathode efficiency was achieved for devices grown on pyramid structures with semi-polar facets, compared to an identical device without these microstructures. Additionally, increased p-type signatures were observed on the semi-polar facets of the pyramid structures measured by micro-photoluminescence.

These results provide a pathway for achieving high-efficiency and air-stable III-nitride photocathodes which can be employed in astronomy missions for determining the composition of planets, stars, and intergalactic medium, and as high-brightness electron beam sources for linear accelerators or lithography.

“Attendance at IWN 2022 and winning the best poster award was made possible by the John J. Sullivan scholarship, which allowed me to travel to Berlin and present my studies in person,” said Emma. “This award is also a powerful demonstration of the exemplary education and support from all those at SUNY Poly’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), and the WBG Optronix lab over the years. It’s really an award for the institution as a whole.”

IWN occurs in alternate years with the International Conference on Nitride Semiconductors (ICNS), with both being considered the leading forums on the development of nitride material growth, characterization and devices.

Emma is advised by SUNY Poly Professor of Nanoscale Engineering Dr. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik (and SUNY Provost-in-Charge).