Solid State Physics
Solid state physics is the study of the physical properties of matter. It is one of the largest
disciplines of contemporary physics, with strong ties to industry.
The Solid State Physics group covers a wide range of topics, from magnetism to semiconductor devices
Magnetism
Magnetic materials are key components of data storage devices, electric motors and sensor technology. We study novel magnetic materials such as amorphous metal magnets, magnetic heterostructures, magnetic metamaterials and spintronic devices.
Contact: Friðrik Magnus, Unnar Arnalds, Snorri Ingvarsson
Semiconductor Physics
SiC and GaN are growing alternatives to silicon in power electronics, for example in electric vehicles and wireless communications technology. We study the fundamental properties of SiC and GaN based devices to improve their efficiency.
Contact: Einar Örn Sveinbjörnsson
Thin Film Physics
Thin films are a powerful tool to study the links between microscopic structure and material properties. They are also ubiquitous in technology. We study the fundamental mechanisms of thin film growth using different magnetron sputtering techniques.
Contact: Friðrik Magnus, Unnar Arnalds, Jón Tómas Guðmundsson, Sveinn Ólafsson
Research Facilities
The Solid State Physics research facilities are located at the Materials Science Centre. The centre, founded in 2006, houses advanced instrumentation for materials fabrication and analysis. It is funded by the Icelandic Centre for Research Infrastructure Fund and the University of Iceland Research Fund.
- UHV magnetron sputtering
- E-beam evaporation
- Rapid thermal annealing
- Furnace
- Class 100 clean room
- Maskless aligner system for photolithography
- E-beam lithography system
- Reactive ion etching
- Ion-beam milling
- X-ray diffractometers for single-crystal and powder diffraction, reflectivity, small-angle
scattering etc., from 77-800 K - Atomic force microscope
- Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
- X-ray fluorescence
- Vibrating sample magnetometer
- 5 T cryogen-free magnet system for magnetotransport and magnetometry
- Magneto-optical Kerr effect systems
- Electrical characterization lab
The research group
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Einar Örn Sveinbjörnsson |
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5255153 | einars [at] hi.is | physics of semiconductor devices;;wide bandgap semiconductor technologies;;defects in semiconductor devices ;;electrical properties of graphene | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/6610daf0-db83-4493-97c6-2d84b6d6aedb | Faculty of Physical Sciences | |
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Friðrik Magnus |
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5254778 | fridrikm [at] hi.is | magnetism;;thin films;;nanotechnology;;materials characterization | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/8a4993b8-08f7-4e92-99c1-6b3de46bfb39 | The Institute of Physical Sciences, Physics Division | |
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Jón Tómas Guðmundsson |
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5254946 | tumi [at] hi.is | plasma physics;;discharge physics;;magnetron sputtering discharges;;thin films;;electrical properties of materials;;capacitively coupled discharges;;hipims;;particle-in-cell;;semiconductors and semiconductor devices | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/a54f53a7-a0ed-4561-99b5-3a5c7571345e | Faculty of Physical Sciences | |
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Snorri Þorgeir Ingvarsson |
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5254791 | sthi [at] hi.is | physics;;condensed matter physics;;spintronics;;spin dependent devices;;electron spin transport;;applied magnetics;;magnetic materials and characterization;;nanostructures and devices e.g. memory and sensors | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/13eddaa3-ad2b-43c6-bd25-3df150ed3753 | Faculty of Physical Sciences | |
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Sveinn Ólafsson |
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5254693 | sveinol [at] hi.is | experimental physics;;electronic engineering;;material physiscs;;engineering;;surface physics and catalysis;;nuclear solid state physics;;hydrogen in metals;;hydrogen storage;;cold fusion;;nano science;;nuclear physics | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/ff301973-b677-4a3f-86a6-d51de4bed67d | The Institute of Physical Sciences, Physics Division | |
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Unnar Bjarni Arnalds |
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5254692 | uarnalds [at] hi.is | artificial magnetic nanostructures;;thin film growth and characterization;;magnetism in thin films and multilayers;;surface science;;nanolithography and processing | Yes | https://iris.rais.is/en/persons/067073be-c612-4da9-8704-3f0400ac7695 | Faculty of Physical Sciences |
- Ásgeir Tryggvason, PhD student
- Kristina Ignatova, Postdoc
- Damjan Dagbjartsson, PhD student
- Ólafur Siemsen Sigurðarson, PhD student
- Muhammad Taha Sultan, Postdoc
- Einar Baldur Þorsteinsson, PhD student
- Arnar Már Viðarsson, Postdoc
- Kristján Jónsson, Technician
- Jón Matthíasson, Research technician
- Bahram Mahdavipour, PhD student
- Mehdi Maghsoudi Sarteshnizi, PhD student
- Swetha Suresh Babu, PhD student