The primary objective of our research is to synthesize multi-component and hybrid (organic-inorganic) materials using a novel approach to organic-based thin film deposition that combines solution and vacuum-processing. Known as emulsion-based, resonant infrared matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (RIR-MAPLE), this technique offers a completely new way to integrate novel functions into organic-based films and devices that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve otherwise.
Research efforts include: i) materials synthesis and characterization to determine the fundamental process-structure-property relationships for thin films deposited using RIR-MAPLE, and ii) device fabrication and characterization for a broad range of applications (especially optoelectronic and energy devices).