SUMMARY: Senior Research Scientist, Manager, with 15+ years of Research Experience (both hands-on as well as Supervisory) in Materials Science, Surface Analysis (for example XPS/AES/SIMS), Thin Films, Silicon/Germanium MBE, Surface Reactions, Nanostructure Fabrication, Synthesis and Assembly of Functional Nanoparticles and related topics. Expert on a wide range of Microscopy and Spectroscopy Techniques. Managed Microscopes and UHV spectrometers, Trained Personnel, Guided Students. Expertise in Designing UHV Instruments, Trouble Shooting, Problem Solving, Analyzing Data. Excellent Skills in Technical writing (over 75 papers published in journals) and Presentations (over 50 in conferences). Innovative, Open Minded and Willing to Explore New Avenues of Work. Proficient in Japanese language. Currently working as a Principal Scientist, Developing novel techniques for synthesizing, non-toxic, luminescent and/or magnetic nanoparticles for a variety of applications.
OBJECTIVES: Interested in part-time faculty positions and can offer courses/lectures in any fields of chemistry, nanotechnology, vacuum technology, semiconductor processing and technology and related fields.
EDUCATION:
• Doctor of Engineering (Dr.Engg.), University of Tokyo
Title of the Dr. Engg. thesis:
Investigation of Oxidation Process on Si and Ge Systems
• 1989 PhD, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
Title of the PhD thesis:
Investigations of the interaction of molecules with clean and modified
transition metal surfaces by techniques of electron spectroscopy.
• M.Sc, Chemistry, First Class with Distinction,University of Calicut , India
LIST OF AWARDS RECEIVED
• National Scholarship For Non-Hindi Speaking Areas, Government of India , 1978-81.
• University Merit Scholarship, University of Calicut , Kerala, India, 1981-83.
• Junior Research Fellowship, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1983-85.
• Senior Research Fellowship, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi , 1985- 89.
• Best Research Paper Award, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Basic Research Laboratories, 2002.
Life - time member of the American Physical Society.
Member, American Chemical Society, Materials Research Society.
EXPERIENCE:
2005 Start – Up Company
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST
Developing novel techniques for synthesizing a new generation of functional nanoparticles
1993 to 2005 NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (NTT), BASIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, JAPAN
SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST, MANAGER (Permanent Position)
Manage the surface science laboratory, perform experiments, train personnel for using various surface analysis instruments, propose new research plans, write and present technical papers and other related responsibilities. Controlled formation of ultrafine structures beyond the limits of conventional lithography through a “bottom up” approach. Fabrication of Angstrom level controlled structures on centimeter scale through a combination of techniques. The ultimate goal of the project is to realize controlled fabrication of novel functional nanoarchitectures on silicon for applications in futuristic nanometer sized devices.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Published over 75 research papers in refereed journals.
• 5 Process Patents
• Presented over 50 research papers in various conferences.
• 3 Cover Pages in the Journal, Journal “Advanced Materials”.
• Over 20 Conference Proceedings Published.
• 13 Invited talks in international conferences.
• Invited Visits and seminars in over 20 important laboratories around the world.
• Refereed papers for several international journals (including Applied Physics Letters, J. Appl. Phys., J. Nanotechnology etc.).
• Chaired sessions in various international conferences.
• Guided and mentored graduate students. Trained and taught junior colleagues and students.
2003 - 2005 STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CA & RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, NY
VISTING SCHOLAR (Sabbatical From NTT)
Two Projects
(1) Fabrication of periodic array of silicon qubits based on Surface Science techniques.
(2) Synthesis of functional Nanoparticles and their Assembly on Silicon wafers. Possible use as templates for growing carbon nanotubes.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Demonstrated the use of alternative substrates for growing silicon based qubits.
• Synthesized strongly emitting Nanoparticles of YAG using sonochemistry.
• Assembled YAG nanoparticles on silicon and demonstrated the template action for growing carbon nanotubes.
1991 to 1993 NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (NTT), BASIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, JAPAN
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Research in the field of semiconductor surfaces. A combined facility of Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Photoelectron spectroscopy, Medium Energy Ion Scattering was employed for the study. We examined the early stages of the oxidation of silicon wafers covered with ultrathin Germanium layers. For the first time, a bonding partner change reaction was reported and this idea was used to fabricate novel heterostructures.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Trouble shooting X-ray photoelectron spectrometer.
• The phenomenon of oxygen atoms changing the bonding partner from Germanium to Silicon was observed for the first time. This idea was employed to fabricate novel heterostructures involving silicon, germanium and their oxides.
• Fabricated a variety of novel nanostructures through surface phenomena (For example, Silicon Nan pillars, luminescent moorings, CoSi 2 Nan discs, light emitting nanometer sized multilayer structures involving Silicon, Germanium and their oxides .)
1989-1991 UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL and UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW
Performed research in the field of surface chemistry of semiconducting oxides, such as TiO 2 , ZnO etc., by employing Synchrotron radiation based techniques.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Extensive experience in Synchrotron radiation based Surface Science. Mechanism of interaction of potassium with TiO 2 surface was unraveled.
• Designed and fabricated a Fluorescence detector.
• Surface EXAFS of S/Ni. Surface Science of insulating oxides such as MnO by detecting fluorescence.
• INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE , BANGALORE
RESEARCH FELLOW
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Research work on interaction of molecules with transition metal surfaces. Obtained PhD Degree.
• Identified a unique molecular oxygen species, namely “superoxo” on silver surface. Maintain, trouble shoot ultra high vacuum equipments.
1. A combined EELS-XPS study of molecularly chemisorbed oxygen on silver surfaces :
Evidence for superoxo and peroxo species.
K. Prabhakaran and C.N.R Rao, Surface Sci. 186 (1987) L575-L580.
This work is from my PhD thesis (1983-1988), from Indian Institute of Science. Silver has been used as a unique catalyst for the ethylene oxidation reaction leading to the formation of epoxide and a variety of other products and is a very important process. This work is addressed to understand the nature of surface species on well characterized silver surfaces and reports the finding of a molecular oxygen species adsorbed in an end-on configuration and is probably the active centre responsible for the selective catalysis.
2 . Alkali Metal-to- Substrate Charge Transfer in TiO 2 (100)c(2x2)-K
K. Prabhakaran et al. Phys. Rev. B45 (1992) 6969-6972.
This work examines the effect of deposition of alkali metal on the surface of the important photocatalytic material TiO 2 , by employing a variety of synchrotron radiation based techniques. Potassium, being an electropositive material withdraws electrons from the valence band, causing the formation of holes and this was clearly shown in this work.
3. Bonding Partner Change Reaction in oxidation of Ge on Si(001): Observation of two step formation of SiO 2 .
K. Prabhakaran et al. Appl. Phys. Let. 64 (14) April 4.1994 p.1839-1841.
This work probed into the finer details of the interesting phenomenon of bonding partner change reaction ( I coined the term) of oxygen. Ultrathin layer of germanium grown on silicon wafer, was exposed to oxygen in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber. On raising the sample temperature, oxygen atoms change the bonding partner from germanium to silicon and this work clearly showed that the reaction goes through two distinct steps. First step involves the breaking of Ge-O bonds and formation of Si-O bonds. This process continues till all the Ge-O bonds are broken. The second step is the reorganization of oxygen atoms around the silicon atoms leading to the formation of SiO 2 -like oxide.
4 . Nanoparticle induced light emission from multiply functionalized Silicon.
K. Prabhakaran et al.; Advanced Materials, Vol.13 No. 24, December 17, p. 1859.
Appeared on the inside COVER PAGE of the journal.
This work proposes a new approach, called “Plug and Play “ in order to overcome the drawbacks associated with the fabrication and functionalization of semiconductor nanostructures. The idea is demonstrated using the Fe 2 O 3 /Si system, whereby, silicon achieves multiple functionality. This approach has tremendous potential to be universal.
• Ultra-fine and well-defined patterns on Si through reaction selectivity.
• Prabhakaran et al., Advanced Materials, Vol.14, No.19, 2002)
Accepted as-submitted and the paper was rated by the referees as within the top 10% of the papers, appearing in the journal ).
Appeared on the COVER PAGE .
This work introduces the concept of utilizing the changes in the reactivity of surface atoms located in different chemical environments to fabricate ultrafine functional features on silicon surface. Furthermore, reactions with bifunctional molecules such as NO can be employed for fabricating a variety of functional structures on silicon surface.
6. Luminescent Nanoring Structures On Silicon.
K. Prabhakaran et al.;
Advanced Materials 2003, 15 1522-1526. Accepted as-submitted, Appeared on the inside COVER PAGE .
This work describes the formation of well-defined nanoring structures through a unique self-organization phenomenon of CdS nanoparticles on silicon wafer. We believe that this is the first report on the self-organization of optically active nanoparticles on a silicon surface. The results reported here are expected to make a significant impact in a variety of applications such as quantum optics and biology. Tunneling luminescence imaging experiments indicate a one to one correspondence between the topography and the light emission. This work is expected to make tremendous impact in a wide variety of fields such as quantum optics and nanobiotechnology.
7. Selective Activation and Selective Passivation of Nanoparticle Catalysts through Substrate Mediation.
K. Prabhakaran et al. Langmuir Vol. 19 No. 26 p.10629 (2003).
This work describes the selective activation and selective passivation of catalyst nanoparticles of Fe, synthesized through a reduction reaction. This phenomenon was demonstrated by utilizing these catalysts for growing single walled carbon nanotubes, selectively interconnecting the Ge nanostructures, grown on silicon wafer. This was a collaboration involving two groups in New York (Professor A. Ulman and K.V.P.M. Shafi, Polytechnic University , Brooklyn), Professor P.M. Ajayan ( Rensselaer Polytechnic University ) and Dr. Stefan Heun (Sincrotrone Trieste).