Atomic Force Microscopy Physical Chemist Expert Witness
Technical Consultant #1259
Expertise
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of hundreds of different materials and devices
- AFM expert witness and consultant
- AFM measurements on optical disks: track pitch, jitter, wobble, grooves
- AFM high precision calibration and measurements
- AFM of paper, plastic, polymers, biomaterials, DNA, Collagen
- AFM of pharmaceutical materials, active ingredients, inactive, excipients
- AFM of metals, ceramics, glass, composite, magnetic and electronic materials
- AFM microroughness, roughness of polished Silicon wafers (GMP), SiC, fused silica
- Laser safety
Experience
Independent Consultant, 1990-present
- Analytical and consulting laboratory work providing research, analytical services, consultation and training
- Microscopy: Experienced research user of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and various optical microscopes. Research: invention of high precision feature measurement system using AFM, development of materials analysis applications of AFM phase imaging, surface structure of thin films, polished surfaces, and polymer fibers; microanalysis of bulk defects in ceramics; and application of optical microscopy to process improvement.
- Laser Spectroscopy and Optics: Experienced designer and research user of pulsed and continuous visible and ultraviolet lasers, monochromators and optical multichannel analyzers. Research: photochemistry of proteins, energy transfer in isolated molecules, and low temperature studies of ceramics.
Boehringer Mannheim Corp., Research and Development, 1988-1990
- Project Engineer II: Supervision of a medical instrument assessment group and a production group, including capital expenditures and purchases of statistical software. Earned "Superior Product Development" award (1989) for improvements to a manufacturing process (raised yield from 20% to 70% while improving quality).
BP America (formerly Standard Oil (Ohio)) Corporate Research, 1980-1988
- Project Leader, Chemical Physics and Analytical Microscopy
- Senior Research Chemist, Chemical Physics
Honors & Publications
Selected publications, patent:
- Automated, high precision measurement of critical dimensions using the Atomic Force Microscope, J. Vac. Sci. Technol
- Atomic Force Microscopy, chapter 19 in Comprehensive Desk Reference of Polymer Characterization and Analysis, Oxford University Press
- AFM Length Analysis of Data Marks: Measuring Jitter, Asymmetry, Process Noise and Process Position, Optical Data Storage 2001
- Analysis of Composite Surfaces with the Atomic Force Microscope: A Problem-Solving Approach, Surface Modification Technologies XV
- High precision calibration and feature measurement system for a scanning probe microscope
- Professional organizations: American Physical Society; Sigma Xi; American Chemical Society; American Vacuum Society; Microscopy Society of America
- Referee: Journal of Chemical Physics, Chemical Physics, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology
Education
- Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Chicago
- B.S., Chemistry, University of Chicago
- National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
- University of Chicago Harkins Fellowship in Physical Chemistry