Prof Alexander Shluger

Biography

• Development and application of theoretical methodologies for calculations on defects in solids and on surfaces.
• Modeling of the structure and properties of point defects in insulators and semiconductors, and the mechanisms of electronic and ionic processes in ionic crystals.
• Studies of the mechanisms of photo-induced processes and exciton and polaron self-trapping in solids and at surfaces.
• Ultrafast processes induced by electronic excitation and radiation effects.
• Adsorption and chemical reactions at ionic crystal surfaces.
• Theory of atomic force microscopy, friction and tribocharging.

Research interests

My main research interests broadly concern the mechanisms of defect processes in the bulk and at surfaces of insulators. I developed theoretical methods for predictive modelling of point defects, self-trapped excitons and polarons in insulating materials; created new models of self-trapped excitons and point defects and predicted their properties in a broad range of insulators; pioneered theoretical modelling of Scanning Force Microscopy imaging of insulating surfaces and developed the mechanisms of chemical resolution in Scanning Force Microscopy; developed the mechanisms of photo-induced desorption of insulating surfaces, made pioneering predictions and directed the experimental research in selective photo-induced modification of insulating surfaces; developed new theoretical models of defects in amorphous silica and in new gate oxides for micro-electronics applications.

Other activities

• Leader of the Condensed Matter and Materials Physics group
• Fellow of the Institute of Physics
• Fellow of the Canon Foundation in
• Member of International Advisory Committee of the International conference on Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy
• Member of the Steering Committee of NATRIBO ESF Scientific Programme
• Member of the Management Committee and UK representative in the COST D41 Action on Oxide Surfaces, and the leader of the Scanning Probe methods workgroup in this Action.
• Teaching duties at the Physics and Astronomy Department: 1228 Thermal Physics Course

Recent Publications

• "Atom-resolved imaging of ordered defect superstructures at individual grain boundaries," Nature 479, 380-303 (17 November 2011).  

Research Highlights
Polarons in 2D - Physical Review Letters, March 2012
Complexity of grain boundaries in ceramics: electrons reveal it all - Nature, November 2011

• D. Munoz Ramo, A. L. Shluger, and G. Bersuker, "Ab initio study of charge trapping and dielectric properties of Ti-doped HfO2," Physical Review B 79 (3) (2009).
• M. L. Sushko and A. L. Shluger, "Rough and Fine Tuning of Metal Work Function via Chemisorbed Self-Assembled Monolayers," Advanced Materials 21 (10-11), 1111-1114 (2009).
• T. Trevethan and A. Shluger, "Controlling electron transfer processes on insulating surfaces with the non-contact atomic force microscope," Nanotechnology 20 (26), 8 (2009).
• T. Trevethan and A. Shluger, "Controlling electron transfer processes on insulating surfaces with the non-contact atomic force microscope," Nanotechnology 20 (26) (2009).
• P. E. Trevisanutto, P. V. Sushko, K. M. Beck et al., "Excitation, Ionization, and Desorption: How Sub-Band Gap Photons Modify the Structure of Oxide Nanoparticles," Journal of Physical Chemistry C 113 (4), 1274-1279 (2009).
• Complete publication list

Biography

• Dipl. Physics, Latvia State University, Riga, 1976.
• Cand. of Science (Ph.D.), L. Karpov Physics and Chemistry Research Institute, Moscow, 1981 (Chemical Physics).
• Doctor of Science, L. Karpov Physics and Chemistry Research Institute, Moscow, 1988 (Chemical Physics).
• Doctor Habil. Latvia University, Riga, 1992
• 1976 - 1988 Junior Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, Leading Research Associate, Chemical Faculty, Latvia State University
• 1988 - 1994 Head of Department, Department of Chemical Physics of Condensed Matter, University of Latvia, Riga.
• 1994 - 1997 Professor, Director Institute of Chemical Physics, University of Latvia, Riga
• 1991 - 1995 Visiting Research Fellow of the Royal Society and the Canon Foundation in Europe, the Royal Institution, London, UK.
• 11.1995 – Senior Research Fellow, Principal Research Fellow, Reader, Professor of Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK