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Research

My present research is centered around the ALS Infrared Beamlines. Together with many collaborators, we perform a wide variety of research using this facility. Topics include Condensed Matter Physics, Cellular Biology, Environmental Science, Bioremediation, Forensic Studies, Chemistry, and Materials Science. My earlier research topics included fullerene materials, high-temperature superconductors, giant magnetoresistance oxides, and spin-Peierls compounds.

I have recently been working to push synchrotron IR spectroscopy beyond its traditional limits. First, I have been developping a new method to combine rapid full-field IR imaging with tomographic reconstruction to yeild full 3D FTIR images in Full Color. Second, my group has been pushing way beyond the diffraction-limit by scattering the synchrotron IR light off an AFM tip resulting in 20 nm resolution with full mid-IR spectral coverage. This revolutionary Synchrotrin Infrared Nano Spectrosopy (SINS) is allowing us to probe materials and biological systems at unprecidented spatial resolution nearly 1000 times better than the state of the art before. We've used it to study Phonon Polaritons in 2D Materials, Plasmons in Single Nanocrystals, and Nanoscale Catalysis.

I have previously worked to develop an exciting new high-power terahertz source using coherent synchrotron radiation. We proposed a new facility employing this revolutionary THz source called CIRCE. Related to developing CIRCE, I am helping to lead a new Terahertz Science and Technology Network.

I am the primary contact person for research at the IR beamlines. If you feel you may have a scientific problem for which the beamlines may be of help, please contact me. In addition to maintaining and upgrading beamline facilities, I am always available to help new users make the most of their infrared reaseach.

Publications

I am an author of over 150 research articles (see my List of Publications) and one physics text book, now out in its Second Edition (2009), Solid State Physics: Problems and Solutions by László Mihály and Michael C. Martin. Also see my Citation Profile from Google Scholar.

Experience

2018 - present	ALS Photon Science Operations Group Leader
2016 - present	Senior Staff Scientist/Physicist
2013 - present	U.S. Editor Synchrotron Radiation News
2010 - present	Deputy Director, BSISB
2007 - 2018	Deputy Group Leader, SSG
September 2002 - 2016	Staff Scientist/Physicist
October 1998 - August 2002	Scientist/Physicist Advanced Light Source Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
June 1996 - September 1998	Postdoctoral Researcher U.C. Berkeley Physics Department and Advanced Light Source, LBNL
May 1995 - June 1996	Postdoctoral Physicist Neutron Scattering Group Physics Department Brookhaven National Laboratory
Ph.D. in Physics, May 1995 M.A. in Physics, May 1992	State University of New York at Stony Brook Department of Physics Thesis Advisor: Prof. László Mihály Ph.D. Thesis: IR Studies of C60 and AxC60.
B.S. in Physics, June 1990 Cum Laude	University of California at San Diego

Other Activities

I created (but no longer work on) the award-winning travlang travel and language web pages. I also wrote and maintain all the IR beamline, CIRCE, THz Network, SSG, and SIRUP web pages.

I enjoy skiing, volleyball, travel, and I am the proud father of twin daughters, Megan and Hannah, born April 1999.