Damon Hebert Email & Phone Number

Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States

Los Alamos, Nm

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Area

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Working on a collaborative project with the University of Oregon focusing on multi-exciton generation via heterojunction assisted impact ionization. Our role is in fabricating and testing the heterojunctions made with either C-implanted UHP Si or CdS-dipped CIGS. I am leading the effort with several students working for me.

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Advisor: Dr. Angus A. Rockett, thin film photovoltaics groupThesis research in optical characterization of high efficiency photovoltaic materials, specifically Cu chalcogenides used in thin film PV. Fabricated epitaxial absorber layers using in-house hybrid sputtering and evaporation system; modified and improved deposition system; characterized absorber layers and complete devices with a variety of microscopy, surface analysis, and optical and electrical characterization tools; analyzed complex data with comparisons to current theory. Authored several papers for journal publication.Collaborated with groups at the Hahn-Meitner Institute (Berlin), The Ohio State University, the Institute for Energy Conversion at the University of Deleware, and the University of Oregon. Conducted additional research on electrical and optical characterization of amorphous CdGeAs2 for use as gamma ray radiation detectors (April 2006 - August 2008). Collaborated with colleagues at Pacific National Northwest Laboratory; performed characterization experiments; fabricated and tested electrical contacts to the material.

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Microstructure Determination, Prof. John Abelson.Managed lab class and other TAs, arranged class study sessions, graded homework and exams.

San Jose, Ca

Conducted characterization studies on novel solar materials. Techniques included PL, PLE, CL, XRD, SIMS, and FTIR. Wrote reports and made presentations to the company to improve their understanding of absorber materials.

Completed collaborative research project on Polarization dependent photoluminescence of CuGaSe2 thin films under Dr. Susanne Siebentritt (now at U. of Luxembourg). Performed experiments, collected and compiled data.

Completed summer internship under Mr. James Keating working for local venture capital firm that partners with researchers and entrepreneurs to build companies based on proprietary and patented technologies.Produced comprehensive assessment of PV market, identified potential opportunities for the company to invest in local PV technologies, educated coworkers in PV technology, and reported to regional operating team.

Electronic Materials Processing I, Prof. Angus RockettArranged class study sessions, graded homework and advised on class project.

Advisor: Dr. Pierre PetroffResearch Experience for Undergraduates through the National Nanofabrication Users Network, funded by NSFProject: Photoluminescence and AFM on strain-coupled, self-assembled InAs quantum dotsConducted PL experiments, analyzed spectra, examined specimens with AFM.

Advisors: Prof. James Heyman (Macalester, physics) and Prof. Paul Crowell (UM, physics)Project: Terahertz emission from GaAs and InAs in a magnetic field Conducted experiments using low-T cryostat, repaired equipment and analyzed terahertz emission data.

Ph.D, Materials Science And Engineering; Electronic Materials, 3.9

Activities and Societies: Engineers Without Borders – member since 2004, American Vacuum Society (AVS) – member since 2005, AVS UIUC.

Study Abroad, Physics

Study abroad

B.A., Physics, 3.95

DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa