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Matthew Pelliccione wins 1902 Research Prize
Matthew Pelliccione, class of '06 - physics, is the winner
of the 1902 Research Prize for his senior thesis, “Mound
Formation in Surface Growth.”
Established by the Class of 1902, the prize consists of the
net annual income from $3,000. It is awarded at Commencement to
the senior who presents the best thesis involving research in
any branch of engineering or science.
According to Pelliccione, his research deals with the
experimental and theoretical study of the nano-scale
morphological evolution of thin film growth during deposition
and etching processes. “More specifically,” he says, “I am
investigating the effects of shadowing and particle re-emission
on the evolution of growth fronts of thin film surfaces. These
growth effects have been shown to be dominant in many common
deposition techniques, including sputter deposition and
chemical vapor deposition. To this end, my research involves
the analysis of solid-on-solid Monte Carlo simulations,
analytical continuum equations, and experimentally deposited
surfaces.”
“My goal is to better understand the physical phenomena that
dictate various aspects of thin film surfaces in the
nano-scale. Many important physical characteristics of these
surfaces, including optical, electrical and magnetic
properties, are determined by the morphology of the growth
front. These physical properties can be better controlled for
potential applications with a greater understanding of the
dominant growth effects that take place during deposition,” he
says.
Pelliccione works in the lab of Professor of Physics
Toh-Ming Lu, who says, “Matthew has been an exceptional
undergraduate student in our department. He is an incredibly
sharp and gifted researcher.”
After graduation, Pelliccione will continue as a graduate
student in the department of physics, applied physics, and
astronomy, and aims to earn his Ph.D. in 2009.
Published
May 5,
2006
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