Dr. Pedro A. Pena

PhD thesis (physical chemistry with an emphasis on materials science and engineering) focused on the growth and characterization of thin film semiconductors with relevant cleanroom experience. Target research was achieved using high and ultrahigh vacuum systems, wafer processing (plasma ash, RIE, wet/dry etching), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and PVD (sputter deposition, e-beam evaporation). Extensive experience with characterization methods such as: FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM, and TEM. Duties also included: managing chemical inventories and waste, performing regular maintenance of various equipment (vacuum pumps and related systems, furnaces, hoods, etc.), and the management and mentorship of other graduate students and undergraduates.