CHRISTINA ZHANG
Materials Science
B.S., Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of California-Davis, 1999
Research Focus:
"Molecular Dynamic (MD) Simulation of GaN Quantum Dot Formation by Laser Ablation". Quantum dots have received considerable attention in the opto-electronic industry for its role as starting materials for light emitting devices as well as functioning as optical tracers in biological systems. Studies of the materials are impeded by challenges in the fabrication of quantum dots with uniform size distribution. Using MD, the goal of this project is to gain insight to the formation of GaN by obtaining dynamic information during formation, such as the atomic momentum, positions, and the effect of laser parameters on ablation rate and depth. The simulation will initially focus on the laser irradiation of a Ga target, the first stage of quantum dot formation by laser ablation, and subsequently the chemical reaction to form GaN. The simulation will complement the published experimental work I've done as an undergraduate and will provide invaluable insight to how and when quantum dots coalesce and grow, which cannot be obtained from experiment.
Internship or Partner Interaction:
Internship possibilities currently are being explored. This is my first year in NEAT/IGERT.
Personal Statement:
The NEAT/IGERT program offers a unique opportunity to see different perspectives of research from multiple disciplines and has been instrumental in helping me develop an appreciation and awareness of the importance of research in improving our society. From seminars that emphasize communication and collaboration to field trips that give hands-on appreciation of the impact of our studies, the program has resonated the message that our individual expertise in specific areas are really pieces of the puzzle that must fit together to produce one large result. Being part of NEAT/IGERT has been educational as well as inspirational. In learning about how quantum dots, for instance, are studied and applied by different disciplines, I've gained insights to the challenges they face and simultaneously gained a better understanding of my own research and how it can provide assistance for those of others. I'm grateful to NSF for the funding with which I'm able to become the first woman in my family to ever receive a graduate degree. I believe future challenges and demands in government, business, and technology will require researchers with a multidisciplinary understanding and the skills we learn in NEAT/IGERT today will be invaluable tomorrow.
