Walter P. Murphy Professor

BS, physical metallurgy and physics
MS, physical metallurgy New York University

PhD, physical metallurgy and physics University of Illinois

Contact Info

 

Interfacial phenomena on an atomic scale

     We are interested in understanding physical phenomena associated with internal interfaces and surfaces in a wide range of material systems, including metallic alloys, ceramic/metal heterostructures, so-called heavy fermion superconductors (e.g., UPt3), and semiconductor heterostructures. We use highly sophisticated microscopy and spectroscopy to study interfaces on a subnanoscale. We also do simulations using local-density functional theory, lattice statics, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics simulations.
     We have studied relationships between the dislocation and atomic-scale structures of grain boundaries in binary metallic alloys, as well as solute segregation and two-dimensional phase transitions at these boundaries. We recently studied the relationships between segregation and the atomic-scale structure of ceramic/metal heterostructures, as well as the electronic properties of these interfaces, and have presented evidence for metal-induced gap states (MIGS) at {222}MgO/Cu interfaces. In our research on metallic heterophase interfaces, we are studying segregation and its effects on mechanical properties.
     We are also investigating the relationships between the physical properties (electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity) of superconducting UPt3 and point, line, and planar imperfections.

Find out more about Professor Seidman's Research and the Northwestern University Center for Atom-Probe Tomography (NUCAPT)

Associations and Awards

2006, Albert Sauveur Achievement Award, ASM International

2005, ASM International Fellow

2004 Expert Consulting Member of the Scientific, Technical, and Pedagogical Division, Department of Physics, French Ministry of Education, Higher Learning and Research, Paris, France

2001-2003 National Science Foundation Creativity Extension Award

2000-2001 President, International Field Emission Society

2000 Microscopy of Society of America award for Best Materials Paper appearing in Microscopy and Microanalysis

1997 Fellow of the TMS (MineralsoMetalsoMaterials)

1996 Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University

1993 Max Planck Research Prize of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft and the Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung awarded jointly with the late Prof. Dr. Peter Haasen

1988 Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung Prize

1988 Teacher of the Year Award, Materials Science & Engineering Dept., Northwestern University

1984 Fellow of the American Physical Society, Division of Condensed Matter Physics

1982 Chairman of the Physical Metallurgy Gordon Conference

1982 Member of the Böhmische Physical Society

1980-81 Lady Davis Visiting Professorship, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

1980-81 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow

1968-77 MITRE evaluative study of Materials Research Laboratory Programs (MTR 7764) rated my research program for the years

1968-1977 among the top twenty most highly rated major achievements sponsored by the National Science Foundation in the area of materials science.

1978 Lady Davis Visiting Professorship, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

1972-73 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow

1966 Robert Lansing Hardy Gold Medal of the American Institute of Metallurgical Engineers [now the TMS (MineralsoMetalsoMaterials)]

Publications

D. E. Perea, J. E. Allen, S. J. May, B. W. Wessels, D. N. Seidman, L. J. Lauhon, “Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Composition Mapping of Semiconductor Nanowires,” Nano Letters 6 (2), 181-185 (2006).

 

C. K. Sudbrack, R. D. Noebe, and D. N. Seidman, “Direct Observations of Nucleation in a Non-dilute Multicomponent Alloy,” Physical Review B 73, 212101 (2006).

 

C. K. Sudbrack, R. D. Noebe, and D. N. Seidman, “Compositional Pathways and Capillary Effects of Isothermal Precipitation in a Nondilute Ni-Al-Cr Superalloy,” Acta Materialia 55, 119-130 (2007).

 

Z. Mao, C. K. Sudbrack, K. E. Yoon, G. Martin, and D. N. Seidman, “The Mechanism of Morphogenesis in a Phase Separating Concentrated Multi-Component Alloy.” Nature Materials 6, 210-216 (2007).

 

R. A. Karnesky, D. Isheim, and D. N. Seidman, “Direct Measurement of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Precipitate Distributions from Atom-Probe Tomographic Reconstructions,” Applied Physics Letters, 90(1), 013111-1 – 013111-3 (2007).

 

D. N. Seidman, “Three-Dimensional Atom-Probe Tomography: Advances and Applications,” Annual Review of Materials Research 37, 127-158 (2007).

 

Y-C Kim, P. Adusumilli, L. J. Lauhon, D. N. Seidman, S.-Y. Jung, H.-D. Lee, R. L. Alvis, R. M. Ulfig, J. D. Olson, “Three-Dimensional Atomic-Scale Mapping of Pd in Ni_1-xPd_xSi/Si(100) Thin Films,” Applied Physics Letters, 90, 113106-1 to 113106-3 (2007).

 

K. E. Knipling, D. C. Dunand, and D. N. Seidman, "Atom-Probe Tomographic Studies of Precipitation in Al-0.1 at. % Zr-0.1 Ti at.% Alloys," Microscopy and Microanalysis, 13, 503-516 (2007).

 

K. E. Knipling, D. C. Dunand, and D. N. Seidman, “Precipitation Evolution in Al-Zr and Al-Zr-Ti alloys During Isothermal Aging at 375-425°C,” Acta Materialia 56, 114-127 (2008).