CMPL SEMICON
National Institute of Physics
University of the Philippines - Diliman
Elmer Estacio, PhD
Armando Somintac, PhD
Dr. Elmer Estacio is an associate professor in the National Institute of Physics in UP Diliman. He is also the laboratory coordinator of the CMPL Semicon. He graduated from UP Diliman with a Bachelor's degree in Applied Physics in 1997, a master's degree in Physics in 2002 and a PhD in Physics in 2004. he then became a postdoctoral fellow in the Institute of Laser Engineering in Osaka University. His specializes in terahertz optoelectronics, semiconductors, optical spectroscopy. His research interest include terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, ultrafast optical processes, semiconductors.
Dr. Armando Somintac an assistant professor at the National Institute of Physics in the University of the Philippines Diliman. He graduated bachelor of science, physics-mathematics at University of the Philippines Baguio in 1993. He studied master of science at UPD with a degree in material science and engineering. He received his doctor of philosophy in Physics at the UPD in 2004. His research interests focus on molecular beam epitaxy, thin film deposition under vacuum, fabrication of electronic devices, and solar cells among others.
ABOUT
Arnel Salvador, PhD
Dr. Arnel Salvador is a professor at the National institute of physics in the UPD. He heads the condensed matter physics laboratory- semiconductors group with his researches focused on mbe grown nanostructures (quantum dots, wires and wells), optoelectronics etc. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics at the NIP in the UP Diliman in 1983. He studied in the university of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in the united tates and earned his Ph.d. in physics in 1993.
Semiconductor Research
CMPL History
Supported by research project grants from DOST-PCASTRD, the Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory began its serious research thrust on III-V semiconductors in 1998. The research team, headed by Dr. Arnel Salvador, has achieved competency in thin film growth, fabrication and characterization of wafers and optoelectronic devices. The group is equipped with several deposition machines and device fabrication equipments. With private support from Intel Philippines, the streak camera coupled with the femtosecond laser was added among the vaious optical, magnetic and electrical characterization systems capable of temperature dependent measurements.
In 1987, the National Institute of Physics(NIP) embarked on curiosity investigations in high temperature superconductors (HTSCs). A makeshift station was set up at the corridors of the Llamas Science Hall consisting of a borrowed electric furnace, a loaned grinding set, a few grams of chemicals and a thermos flask of liquid nitrogen. From these initial experiments, the Institute realized the birth of another of its research groups.
In the following year, DOST through the PCASTRD, approved the first project for high temperature superconductors. Spearheaded by the efforts of Dr. Antonio Villaflor, subsequent years provided for a steady growth of the group especially in superconductor research. By 1991, the first sputtering facility was completed with the efforts of the UHV subgroup. This started a heavy investment program by the laboratory on thin film deposition equipment, materials characterization facilities and semiconductor characterization which was completed under the supervision of Dr. Roland Sarmago. The influx of funds and equipment allowed several members of the group to fully venture in semiconductor research.
It was, however, only with the return of Dr. Arnel Salvador to the Institute in 1997, was the group able to fully realize this. Even with an unparalleled enthusiasm on semiconductor research, the group's research on superconductors have also matured, which includes synthesis and growth, to 'tweaking into' the electronic and magnetic properties.
Today, the lab is home to several homebuilt furnaces and characterization equipment as well as state-of-the-art thin film equipment and semiconductor characterization facilities. Its build-up has brought it new characterization support facilities as well as upgrades to its standard electronic, optical and magnetic measurement facilities. A complement of its facilities are housed at the Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP) of the College of Engineering here in the University. In addition, the group is an active participant of the annual Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas (SPP) Congress and it has participated in various local and international conferences on solid state physics, materials science and related topics.
The laboratory acknowledges the support and trust constantly extended to it by the Department of Science and Technology(DOST), the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development(PCASTRD), and to the University of the Philippines-Diliman(UPD). The UP Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (UP-OVCRD) and Intel Philippines, Inc. has also funded several undergraduate researches of the laboratory.
