Mikel "Micky" Holcomb
Research
My expertise is in the high-quality growth and novel characterization of strongly correlated systems. In these materials, there is a strong competition between the electric and magnetic properties, which can cause unique behavior, often useful for various technologies. I focus primarily on the effect of interface properties on bulk phenomena, such as magnetoelectricity and magnetic dead layers.
Work experience
Associate/Assistant Professor, West Virginia University
2009 - present
In my lab, I have managed 3 post doctoral researchers, 9 graduate, over 20 undergraduate and 2 high school students on a variety of growth and characterization projects. In the classroom, I mainly teach algebra based introductory physics and graduate/undergraduate solid state physics. In each classroom settings, I try to incorporate active learning techniques to both force student engagement with the material and help me assess their learning. I have taught over 1500 students! I have also organized conference symposia (THERMEC, MS&T and AVS), am the Society of Physics Students faculty advisor and was on the Advanced Light Source User's Executive Committee.
WEBillions (Internet Startup)
2007 - 2009
While I was a graduate student, I lead a group of entrepreneurs aimed at making a special kind of social network. We wanted to give people a fun way to determine what they want to do with their life. We provided a game environment and depending on what activities people enjoyed in the game, we suggested jobs that would allow similar activities. The social network allowed people to meet others with similar goals to support each other. Before the business had a chance to thrive, I had to make a choice between the business and following my dream of becoming a professor. I try to incorporate my skills with career development to my interactions with students.
IBM Intern
2002
At IBM Almaden, I worked with Robert Shelby using quantum well photoluminescence to understand spin relaxation in GaAs. The tendency of spins to relax (or change) due to environmental factors is a significant problem for quantum computing and spintronics.
Research Interests
Complex Oxides
Surfaces & Interfaces
Magnetoelectricity
Magnetic Dead Layers
Ultrafast Dynamics
High Surface Area Electrodes
Tools
Pulsed Laser Deposition with RHEED
Second Harmonic Generation
Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Circular and Linear Dichroism
Dichroism Imaging (PEEM)
2010 - present
2010 - present
Education
University of California, Berkeley
2004 - 2009
For my Masters and Ph.D., I worked with Ramamoorthy Ramesh, who is now the director of Oak Ridge National Labs. To support my thesis entitled "Understanding Magnetism in Multiferroics," I started and developed the synchrotron radiation portion of our group, mainly utilizing the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley Labs. I have worked at eight different endstations at the ALS including techniques such as x-ray absorption, fluorescence, dichroism, microdiffraction and imaging. I utilized photoemission electron microscopy to understand thickness dependent magnetization in the popular magnetoelectric multiferroic bismuth ferrite and how it couples with other materials.
Vanderbilt University
2000 - 2004
I graduated with honors with a double major in math and physics and a minor in economics. I started research with Professor Norman Tolk my freshman year. I primarily studied the ultrafast carrier dynamics across the silicon interface with silicon dioxide and possible gate oxide replacements.