Rubin Braunstein

Experimental Condensed Matter

Office: 3-152 Knudsen
Phone: (310) 825-1841
email

Educational Background:

• Ph.D., Syracuse, 1954

Research Interest:

The current research programs of our group includes the study of the band structures, and lattice dynamics of semiconductors, metals and insulators, both crystalline and amorphous. The linear as well as the nonlinear optical interactions of coherent radiation with matter are studied in these systems as well as the surface properties using a range of electron spectroscopies. Facilities for these studies span the spectrum from the soft X-ray to the far infrared using conventional spectrometers as well as high and low power lasers. In addition, high contrast Raman, Brillouin, and Rayleigh scattering systems are employed. Surface analytical facilities employing a range of electron spectroscopies such as: low electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and X-ray photon-electron spectroscopy (ESCA) are operative. These systems are integrated with computers for data acquisition, control and analysis.

Low level absorptions in highly transparent solids and liquids are studied by wavelength modulation techniques. Electron spectroscopic techniques are employed to study surfaces and interfaces. Optical-microwave measurements are performed to study nonlinear transport phenomena in semiconductors such as saturation drift velocity, and ballistic transport. Unique techniques are employed to study light scattering in multiple scattering media. Spectroscopic techniques are employed to study local defects caused by strand breaks and altered bases in DNA.

The material systems studied conist of crystalline and amorphous semiconductors, insulating glasses and high temperature superconductors and macro-molecules of biological interest.

Selected Recent Publications:

• "Determination of Drift Mobility and Lifetime for Dominant Charge Carriers in Polycrystalline CuInSe2 by Photomixing", Y. Tang, R. Braunstein, and Bolko von Roedern, Appl. Phys. Lett., 63, 2393 (1993)
• "Effects of Deposition Conditions on Transport Properties of Intrinsic Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon and Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbide Investigated by the Photomixing Technique", Y. Tang and R. Braunstein, Appl. Phys. Lett., 66, 721 (1995)
• "Structural Studies of Tungstate-Tellurite Glasses by Raman Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry", I. Shaltout, Yi Tang, R. Braunstein, and A. M. Abu-Elazm, J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 56, 141 (1995)