Associate Professor (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Office: Clippinger 291A
Telephone: 740-517-8479
Fax: 740-593-0148
Email: vanpatte@ohio.edu

Research in the Van Patten Laboratory centers on the synthesis and characterization of different kinds of nanomaterials.  At present our primary emphasis is on the study of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots.  We are developing state-of-the-art synthetic approaches to build well-defined quantum dot arrays, including heterodimers linked by rigid, nanoscale molecular structures. We are using a variety of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic methods to perform detailed, systematic measurements on the extent of electronic coupling between the quantum dots in these arrays as a function of the interparticle distance. We hope that  these measurements will lead to a greater understanding of how energy, charge, and quantum information may be transferred between semiconductor quantum dots. This new understanding will aid in the development of new quantum dot-based technologies such as solar cells, lasers, and quantum computers.

In addition, we are developing methods to synthesize colloidal quantum dots from new materials like GaN. GaN is a technologically important material for the development of optoelectronic devices (such as lasers and light-emitting diodes) operating in the blue and ultraviolet spectral regions. It has good chemical and thermal stability, can be doped both n-type and p-type, and has high luminescence efficiency. GaN quantum dots build on these advantageous properties by providing improved processability and by allowing band gap yunability through control of particle size. Unfortunately, GaN quantum dots have historically proven exceedingly difficult to prepare. Our new synthetic methods represent a breakthrough in materials synthesis and enable us to be among the first in the world to study this interesting new material.

School Home Page

Group Web Page