Burson Lab: Research

The Burson lab focuses on nanomaterials: nanoelectronic materials, organic photovoltaics. We are especially interested in understanding how the microscopic and nanoscopic properties of these materials can determine their functionality within technologically and industrially relevant devices. Examination on the atomic level using surface science techniques allows for the development of fundamental knowledge key to answering materials design questions like: “Can we create solar cells with increased efficiency and lower cost?” and “Can we make smaller and faster electronics?” We utilize scanning probe techniques to attain detailed characterization of surfaces and, as such, also have an abiding interest in atomic force microscopy instrumentation and resolution limitations. The lab address questions about the fundamental properties of nanomaterials by employing atomic force microscopy (AFM) and provides undergraduate students significant opportunities to develop as scientific researchers.

Organic molecules may offer an affordable and flexible alternative to traditional Si-based photovoltaics devices and, as such, these materials have become an active area for research. One major drawback currently is that organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) have lower efficiency and degrade faster when compared to their traditional Si-based counterparts. My research focuses on organic heterostructures, blends of two (or more) organic materials that optimize both for broad-band light absorption and electron mobility. I aim to understand the fundamental physical mechanisms that impact device efficiency in these spatially inhomogeneous OPVs. Broadly, my work seeks to address this question: How do effects introduced by the particular spatial composition of donor and acceptor materials (eg interface geometry, formation of interface dipoles, individual domain sizes) modify device performance predicted from models based on individual material properties (eg HOMO-LUMO gaps, electron/hole mobility, broad band light adsorption)? In particular, I use my expertise in atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess sample topography and spatial variations in conductivity and electric potential, and correlate these observations with measurements of device efficiency. By correlating local and global aspects of the sample we can develop a more comprehensive picture to enable rational design of organic photovoltaics.

My research into amorphous materials seeks to fully understand the complex structure of glass by looking at two-dimensional versions of solid-state glasses. Crystalline materials form structures which are periodic, well-ordered, and easy to describe mathematically. By contrast amorphous materials, such as glass, are both difficult to describe and difficult to study. Amorphous structures are present in everyday glass technologies, the semiconductor industry (silicon dioxide layer), and many biological systems, so a fundamental understanding of amorphous materials is desired. My group is working to describe three distinct amorphous materials: silica, germania, and bubble rafts.