Paul R. Berger

Research Interests

• Si-based resonant interband tunnel diodes for quantum functional circuitry (mixed-signal, logic, and low power embedded memory) to extend CMOS;
• nanoelectronics: Si-based quantum dot nanoswitches to replace CMOS;
• conjugated polymer-based flexible electronics and foldable optoelectronics and photovoltaics;
• passive millimeter wave imaging for security and safety via Si-based backward diode sensors;
• molecular electronics with quantum functional circuit elements using conjugated polymers;
• optoelectronic devices (photodiodes, LEDs, lasers, waveguide modulators etc.) and optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEIC), such as photorecivers and phototransmitters, leveraging selective area epitaxy;
• and RHEED studies of strained layer molecular beam epitaxy and self-assembled quantum dots.

Research Philosphy

Research Excellence

Balanced Initiatives (Teaching and Service)

Through his role as IEEE Student Chapter Faculty Advisor, Prof. Berger seeks to expose undergraduate underclassmen to different areas of the broad ECE discipline in order for them to properly select the career path that works best for themselves. The IEEE Student Chapter also seeks ways to break down the barriers between students and faculty.

Prof. Berger has established a consortium within the State of Ohio for nanoscale patterning of like-minded organizations by creating a cost-center laboratory with state-of-the-art electron beam lithography (EBL) facilities complete with trained personnel to help assist and train a diversified user base. The EBL tool is a powerful 100 kV system that is in the process of being installed and will be operational in late Fall 2005. It is hoped that this will be a lightening rod for nanotechnology in the State of Ohio and the Midwest region for any academic or industrial users that need to write patterns at the nanometer scale and perform subsequent processing.

Biography

In the Summer of 2000, Prof. Berger joined The Ohio State University as an Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering in the Solid State Electronics and Photonics Area. In the Fall of 2001, Prof. Berger was extended a Courtesy Appointment in the OSU Physics Department. In 2003, Prof. Berger was promoted to Full Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Prof. Berger is co-Director of the Department's 4000 sq. foot Nanofabrication and Materials Processing Center (NanoMPC) and has sparked a re-birth and significant growth of the current NanoMPC facility. A key facet of this expansion is Berger's role as Director of the Nanoscale Patterning Laboratory that is a State of Ohio resource offering electron beam lithography (EBL) services and equipment to the scientific community. The Leica EBPG 5000 EBL system is a multi-million dollar investment by the Ohio Board of Regents. Prof. Berger is also a key member of the Ohio State Polymer Consortium and organized their first annual meeting.

Major Awards, Publication Record and Technical Societies

Links Within Site

our group "in the news" (press releases and press clippings) my curriculum vitae, including PDF reprints our current research activities my group members, including students, past and present a visual walking tour of my own labs and associated labs (EBL Center, ECE Cleanroom, NOEL and PDL) a variety of group pictures my teaching assignments (past and present) Ohio State's IEEE Student Chapter (faculty advisor) Ohio's Nanoscale Patterning Consortium for Electron Beam Lithography Undergraduate Researcher Needed Immediately Links to Surrounding Research Resources at Ohio State OSU Polymer Consortium Review Agenda (April 27, 2004) (OSUPC Review Chairman: Berger, OSUPC Review Committee: Olesik, Koelling, OSUPC Director: Epstein); OSUPC Membership .

For General Interest

• Smaller is better!
  • International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors.
  • National Nanotechnology Initiative and other links.
  • IEEE Spectrum: "Quantum Transistors: Towards Quantum Computing" (September 2000)
  • IEEE Spectrum: "The Topsy Turvy World of Quantum Computing" (February 2001)
  • IEEE Spectrum: "The Amazing Vanishing Transistor Act" (October 2002)
  • IEEE Spectrum: "The High-K Solution" (October 2007)

• Excerpts of Berger activities from past OSU EE Department Annual Reports
  • "Research Provides Valuable Learning Experience for Undergraduates" (2001-2002)
  • "Nanotechnology: The Dawning of a Nano-Sized World" (2000-2001)

• Recent Nobel Prizes Awarded for Semiconductor and Polymer Work
  • The 2000 Nobel Prize for Physics for semiconductor heterostructures and the integrated circuit.
  • The 2000 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for conducting polymers.
  • The Nobel Prize Webpage

Send suggestions or comments to pberger@ieee.org.