Nano Development Lab

Expertise in Nanotechnology

Focusing on the development and implementation of nano-scale imaging techniques, our lab studies the optical interaction of light and nanometric objects in order to generate enhanced fields for fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy / microscopy and determine new applications for Focused Ion/Electron Beam systems toward the study of biological systems using near-field and far-field microscopes.

We have a wide ranges of tools at its disposal to preform novel research. Many of these instruments have been made from thrown out components and pieced together with care to perform useful functions.

Explore Our Research

Microscopy Development

An RF-modulated IEC fusion device currently in development

Fusion Research

Discharge of Marx Generator at 330 KV. Notice sparkgap discharge with output discharge; expected discharge time is on the order of sub-microseconds

High Fields Research

Material Development

A numerical simulation of the Vlasov-Poisson system

Numerical Modeling

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) used in PH 316

Physics Education

Microscopy Development

NOVEL MICROSCOPY DEVELOPMENT
We conduct novel research in the area of electron, optical, and ion microscopy development.

Fusion Research

FUSION RESEARCH
Our work involves a combination of techniques to improve the level of neutron emission from the fusion reactor in our lab at Portland State University.

High Fields Research

HIGH ELECTRIC FIELD RESEARCH
Our group performs research involving high voltage discharges, the effect on materials under high fields and high currents (transient fields and currents), as well as safety instruction in the use of high fields.

Material Development

MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT
Our efforts in material started with YBCO single crystal superconductors and have branched out to scintillation crystals, 3D additive machining of alloy materials and PVD of dielectrics as well as alloying metals.

Numerical Modeling

NUMERICAL MODELING
Our group utilizes different forms of numerical modeling to solve problems in both microscopy development and fusion research.

Physics Education

PHYSICS EDUCATION
Our group creates multiple labs for learning upper-level physics courses.

Our Lab Facilities

Homemade focused ion beam (FIB) system based on a 611 FIB gun/electronics and a Cambridge chamber design. The rest is homemade (i.e. high-resolution imaging system (4096x4096 pixels), fluid regulator, pumping, etc.).

Gatan turbo-pumped ion milling system (Mdl. 600A). It is used to thin bulk samples and includes an endpoint detection system.

Internal chamber of the Micrion 2500 FIB system, which includes a mass spectrometer and an added AMRAY OEM FESEM column making it a Dual-Beam system

Micrion FIB using a SIMS IIIXP system

FEI 611 FIB utilized for teaching students the use of a FIB and Secondary Ion Imaging to make 2D images of isotopic mapping

FEI 611 FIB used for teaching students the use of a FIB and Secondary Ion Imaging to make 2D images of isotopic mapping.

Our group originally used the FEI XL-40 SEM, which was later replaced by the JEOL 6300F field emission SEM

Dual-Beam system

Laser cutter

Cross-sectional diagram of the Micrion 50 KV Ga FIB column (5nm resolution), used on our Micrion 2500 FIB