In-Vacuum Preparation and Characterization of Conductive Polymer Interfaces

该项目研究了聚合物发光二极管和薄膜晶体管（TFT）等器件中常用的聚合物界面，重点研究了界面的电子结构、化学和形态。实验将使用光电子能谱（PES）和扫描探针显微镜（SPM）进行。原位研究的结果将与装置上的非原位光电测量结果进行比较。此外，简单的聚合物电子器件将在真空中设计和制造，并与传统的非原位制备结构进行测试。该项目将由南佛罗里达大学（USF）电气工程系的Rudy Schlaf和康奈尔大学材料科学与工程系的George G. Malliaras合作进行。Schlaf的团队将研究和开发聚合物薄膜原位沉积的合成和加工能力，并将利用光电发射光谱（PES）对其进行原位研究。来自南佛罗里达大学的学生将在夏季访问Malliaras的团队，在那里他们将通过（光电）电测量来表征所制备薄膜/器件的宏观电子特性。该项目涉及与技术相关的电子/光子材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题。该项目的一个重要特点是高度重视教育，并将研究与教育相结合。PI强调让本科生参与研究，以帮助增加攻读高级学位的学生人数。研究结果也将用于PI的电子材料课程的研究模块，以及PI为本科生组织的实验室参观。该项目为研究生和本科生提供了参与高度跨学科前沿研究的独特机会。＊＊＊

This project addresses polymer interfaces commonly used in polymeric light emitting diodes and other devices such as thin film transistors (TFT), focussing on determination of the electronic structure, chemistry and morphology of interfaces. Experiments will be carried out using pho-toelectron spectroscopy (PES) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Results of in-situ studies will be compared with ex-situ photo-electrical measurements on devices. Additionally, simple polymer electronic devices will be designed and fabricated in vacuum and tested against conven-tionally ex-situ prepared structures. The project will be carried out collaboratively between Rudy Schlaf at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF), and George G. Malliaras at the Materials Science and Engineering Department of Cornell University. Schlaf's group will study and develop synthesis and processing capabilities enabling in-situ depo-sition of polymer thin films and will investigate them in-situ with photoemission spectroscopy (PES). Students from USF will visit Malliaras' group during summer months where they will characterize macroscopic electronic properties of the prepared thin films/devices by (photo-) electrical measurements. %%%The project addresses fundamental research issues in a topical area of electronic/photonic materi-als science having technological relevance. An important feature of the project is the strong em-phasis on education, and the integration of research and education. The PI places emphasis on in-volving undergraduates in research to help increase the number of students pursuing advanced degrees. Results of the research will also be used in research modules presented in the PI's Elec-tronic Materials course and during the lab tours the PI organizes for undergraduate students. The project offers unique opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students involved in highly interdisciplinary forefront research. ***