Research Interests of Christine Berven, Ph.D.

Prof. Berven has over a decade of experience performing electronic transport characterization measurements on reduced-dimensional submicron-scale devices. As a graduate student and post-doctoral research associate, she has performed or supervised graduate students who performed measurements on electron quantum-waveguide devices, quantum dots and arrays of ligand stabilized gold nanoparticles.

Prof. Berven's research has been primarily on systems that because of their extremely small size, the physics at play spans the Classical/Quantum Divide. In these systems often quantum size effects are important, and play an important role in the electronic transport. Along with her experience performing characterization experiments, Prof. Berven has extensive knowledge of submicron lithographic techniques using Electron Beam Lithography (EBL). She is well versed in the use of additive and subtractive processes in conjunction with EBL.

In addition to Prof. Berven's experimental work, her publication record includes theoretical work on the physics of electronic transport in submicron and nanometer scaled devices. Prof. Berven has worked with electrical engineers, materials scientists and chemists and has much experience working in interdisciplinary research environments. Other research interests include single electron and nonequilibrium electronic transport and quantum mechanical phenomena in submicron reduced dimensional structures, novel nanometer-scale electronic and electro-mechanical devices and detectors, self-assembled nanostructures, Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems (NEMS).

Prof. Berven's current research interests include the electro-mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, the electro-mechanical properties of semiconducting nanowires and nanosprings, using nanowires and nanotubes as sensors and modeling electrical transport in nanoparticle circuits.

To see pictures of some of the equipment my group uses to fabricate devices, click on the link to the UI Nanofabrication Lab.

My favortie physics cartoon. This is where the fun physics for me exists!