Dr. Enrique Izaguirre
I was born in the small town of Neuquen near the Andes mountains in Argentina. I earned a technical degree in electronics and mechanics and then moved to the capital to study physics at the University of Buenos Aires. My research was in electro-optical devices with nonlinear feedback. Upon completing my M.S. I was invited to spend a summer at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where I received my Ph.D. in physics (it turned out to be a little longer visit) with a concentration in quantum optics in 1997. My thesis was “The Dynamics of Continuous Wave Dye Lasers.”
I worked as a teacher and consultant for a couple of years until I joined the W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics at Syracuse University, where I worked on three-dimensional protein-based memories.
I am interested in biomolecular electronics, UV lasers and the development of instrumentation for nanotechnology. I will continue in these applied physics fields after I join the faculty at SSU.
I will continue working on ultraviolet light sources, concentrating on metal vapor lasers excited by radio frequency fields. This particular type of excitation offers an alternative method of plasma generation where the electrodes are located outside the plasma tube. This arrangement avoids the contamination of the metal-gas mixture giving a laser tube a longer life time and better efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio, and it offers better characteristics than the previous designs (pulsed or hollow cathode CW discharge). There are several metal vapor lasers that the range of wavelengths (240 to 270 nm) which are of great interest to the electronics industry. The metal vapor laser that I am currently working on is the helium copper bromide laser where gain in several ultraviolet lines has been found. In addition to these interesting aspects, the use of metal vapor lasers in combination with dye lasers to create an anti-Stokes Raman laser has not yet been investigated, and I intend to explore and pursue the development of a laser prototype.
In biomolecular electronics I will continue my work in thin films doped with proteins and organic dyes. Using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique for multilayer film deposition on a substrate, it is possible to create a film where dyes or proteins can be inserted in the different lipid/polymer layers. These multiple layer films have potential applications in semiconductors and photonics devices. For example these films show optical tunneling and light-controlled plasmon excitation. These mechanisms can be used in optical switches and light-controlled modulators. I have a special interest in these films from the theoretical and experimental point of view. On the theoretical side the film self-assembly and quantum properties are challenging problems. On the experimental side the construction of an opto-electronic working device and the corroboration of the theoretical model is a fascinating field which I plan to pursue at SSU.
In industry I designed and constructed several instruments, including fast scanning spectrometers, miniature scanners, holographic optics, CCD cameras, miniature spectrometers, and photocalorimeters.
While teaching in New York I have had the satisfaction and enjoyment to work with undergraduate and graduate students in different research projects to further their education. I have great expectations for doing research with SSU students, but I want to warn them that they will work like dogs, as I do.
I have a broad taste in music, which ranges from classical music to heavy metal. Also, I enjoy nature and I am an avid climber. My hobbies are working hard (I am a workaholic) and enjoying life to its full extent.
Dr. Brock Weiss
I was born and raised in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania. I took the “long road” to finish my B.S. in physics, which I received from Pennsylvania State University in 1990. It was while working on my master’s degree that I acquired a love and appreciation for both teaching and research. I worked with Dr. Paul Cutler and Dr. Nicholas Miskovsky. The project involved numerical calculations of electron field emission energy distributions from atomically sharp metallic emitters (ask me about the work — I will be happy to tell you about it !)
After I earned my M.S. in 1994 I had the opportunity to be a temporary instructor at Penn State’s Altoona campus. This was my first experience to be in charge of my very own physics course. I loved it immensely! I then entered the Ph.D. program in the Materials Science group at PSU. I was very fortunate to work with Dr. Andrzej Badzian who is an internationally recognized expert in diamond thin film growth and technology. In addition to his scientific expertise he is also a phenomenal person. Under his guidance I completed my Ph.D. dissertation, entitled “Growth, Characterization and Electron Field Emission Measurements from Thin Film Cold Cathode Materials Fabricated by a Modified Microwave Process” (Ask me about the work — I will be happy to tell you about it!) In July of 1999 I left Penn State to work as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Puerto Rico in the laboratory of Dr. Gerardo Morell. During my time in Puerto Rico I have extended my research interests into the hot area of nanotechnology. I am greatly looking forward to joining the faculty at SSU. I plan to continue my research in the areas of diamond thin films and nanotechnology. I hope to attract several hardworking and enthusiastic students to work with me on a variety of projects in these areas. The exciting aspect of my research is that since it is interdisciplinary it can involve people from a variety of backgrounds. I am especially looking forward to teaching a wide range of courses at SSU. I hope I can project my enthusiasm for physics to my students and try to inspire in them, at least, respect for physics. I also hope I can provide my students with the type of positive environment that my mentors provided to me which has allowed me to develop into the scientist and person I am today.
When I am not doing or thinking about my research I enjoy any and all outdoor sports and activities (at the beach or in the mountains), playing pool, listening to music, exercising (running, weight lifting), cooking, travel (a great benefit of academic life), volleyball, and Penn State football. When the opportunity arises I will become one of many happy dog owners.