DAVID JESSON

Professor of Physics BSc Physics, University of Bristol, 1981 PhD Physics, University of Bristol, 1987 Phone +61 (3) 9905 9590 FAX +61 (3) 9905 3637 Email:David.Jesson@sci.monash.edu.au

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Professor David Jesson has made significant contributions to electron microscopy, diffraction physics and surface physics. His current research interests include the use of Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) to obtain video movies of nanoscale surface dynamics. Of particular interest is the study of quantum dot self organisation and the study of how interfaces actually form during the molecular beam epitaxy of semiconductor systems. This is centred around a new LEEM instrument at Monash which is equipped to deposit atoms on surfaces and image, in real-time, how nanoscale features are created. From a basic physics perspective, this facilitates the development of new theories to explain the statistical mechanics of non-equilibrium growth processes and the thermodynamic drivers for self-organisation. It also allows the development of new strategies for improving semiconductor device quality and generating nanostructures for applications in photonics and quantum information processing.

Professor Jesson also intends to use LEEM to address fundamental issues in electron matter wave manipulation using light forces and the trapping of atoms in optical lattices. The aim is to develop the instrument to image light beams, optical standing waves and gas phase fluctuations within optical lattices using slow electrons. In parallel, new theory is being developed to understand the quantum mechanics of very slow electrons interacting with light.

Additional work in Professor Jesson’s group involves the development of Lloyd’s Mirror photoemission electron microscopy to reconstruct surface topography and obtain 3D movies of dynamic events on surfaces.

Professor Jesson has a mild interest in the physics of golf in the hope it will improve his game.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Over 100 research publications including two articles in Science, seventeen in Physical Review Letters and three articles in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, leading to over 2300 citations (Web of Science). Selected recent publications include:

1. D. E. Jesson, T. P. Munt, V. A. Shchukin and D. Bimberg, “Tunable Metastability of Surface Nanostructure Arrays,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 (2004) 115503.
2. U. Denker, A. Rastelli, M. Stoffel, J. Tersoff, G. Katsaros, G. Constantini, K. Kern, N. Y. Jin-Philip, D. E. Jesson and O. G. Schmidt, “Lateral Motion of SiGe Islands Driven by Surface Mediated Alloying,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 94 (2005) 216103.
3. I. N. Remediakis, D. E. Jesson and P. C. Kelires, “Probing the Structure and Energetics of Dislocation Cores in SiGe Alloys through Monte Carlo Simulations”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 (2006) 255502.
4. D. E. Jesson, K. M. Pavlov, M. J. Morgan and B. F. Usher, “Imaging Surface Topography using Lloyd’s Mirror in Photoemission Electron Microscopy”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99 (2007) 016103.
5. J. Tersoff, D. E. Jesson and W. X. Tang, “Running Droplets of Ga from Evaporation of GaAs”, Science 324 (2009) 236.