Anthony Ciani Email & Phone Number

Bolingbrook, Il

Lead a wide range of research in semiconductors, materials science and computational physics, particularly focused on semiconductor materials and device processing for infrared imaging: II-VI and III-V thin films, such as HgCdTe, superlattice (T2SL), and HgTe colloidal quantum dots (CQDs).Accomplishments include the design and development of the first-published MWIR and LWIR focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on CQDs. Identified performance-limiting defect clusters in Ga-free T2SL detectors via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth simulations, and modified MBE growth processes to improve spectral absorption and lifetime in T2SL. Developed chemical treatments to enhance the performance of HgTe CQD devices. Developed polishing processes for Si and CdZnTe to improve heteroepitaxial thin-film material quality and uniformity, and to improve the energy resolution of photoconductive radiation detectors.Brought in over $8 million of revenue and managed over $7 million in research and development projects.

Chicago, Il

Researched the molecular beam epitaxy growth of InAs/InAsSb superlattices via Stillinger-Weber molecular dynamics growth simulations. Prepared Stillinger-Weber potentials from Density Functional Theory calculations using custom fitting software. Modified, corrected and optimized performance of an existing parallel molecular dynamics simulation software written in C and MPI. Performed the self-directed research and compiled reports for the contracting institution and sponsor. Identified several key defects within the T2SL material, and how they related to MBE growth strategies and device performance.This work provided the foundation for further research opportunities and efforts at Sivananthan Laboratories.

I proposed and was granted a fellowship by the National Research Council's Research Associateship Program to study fabrication methods to improve the performance of devices fabricated from thin heteroepitaxial films. The effort was largely self-directed and involved development of research computing codes, collaborative meetings, and technical presentations. I investigated how strain could be manipulated in heteroepitaxial growth to reduce the density of threading dislocations in zincblende and hexagonal (i.e. nitride) systems.At Sivananthan Laboratories, I have recently been notified of an award to transfer some of these theoretical discoveries to the laboratory.

Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, and Research Specialist. Various tasks associated with teaching and condensed matter research.Adsorbates on Si(001) surface, Si and C single-atom nanowires, point defects and dopants in HgCdTe, cholesterol uptake by carbon nanotubes.

Proposed and obtained government funding (an STTR grant) in collaboration with Wizdom to study twist bonded substrates, an innovative fabrication technique to improve semiconductor heteroepitaxy quality. Performed the duties of co-investigator and lead programmer. Investigated how TB substrates induced coherent dislocation networks that reduced the density of threading dislocations.

To help fund my education, I was a Senior Sales Associate in the plumbing and electrical departments of this home improvement center chain. Duties included assisting customers with their home improvement and repair projects, maintaining and ordering stock, forklift operation, intermittent cashiering and support of management.

Phd, Physics

Activities and Societies: Society of Physics StudentsSerdar Ogut: Thesis Adviser Inder Batra: Former Thesis Adviser (deceased)

Bs, Physics

Activities and Societies: Society of Physics Students

As, General Science

Activities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Science Club and Math Team