Education
Ph.D. 1971, Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
M.S. 1967, Radiophysics, University of Auckland, New Zealand
B.S. 1965, Physics, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Research Interests
My long-term continuing research passion lies in the area of discontinuous thin metal films. At a thickness of less than 10 nm, say, a thin metal film deposited on insulating substrates consists of discrete metal islands of 1 to 5 nm diameter, separated by 2 nm gaps, typically. Such an island array conducts by electron tunneling between islands. The properties displayed are fascinating. The negative TCR is due to the electrostatic energy required to charge an island, so the array is really one of multiple "Coulomb Block" junctions. The tunneling provides an exceptionally high gage factor, and environmental sensitivity. Small radii of curvature means the islands are efficient electron emitters. Multiple electrical phenomena lead to multiple potential applications. The problems are that film structures and hence properties are highly non-reproducible and unstable, so one focus of the research is on the production of reproducible stable structures. In addition, while the general physical basis for the properties is understood, quantitative agreement remains elusive. A new conduction model successfully explains three previously unexplained phenomena, so refinement of the model is a high priority.
A single Coulomb Block island is the basis of the Single Electron Transistor. For reliable operation at 77K or room temperature, the charging energy must be much greater than the thermal energy, which requires either very small islands, or chains of islands, or both, which makes the fabrication problem and conduction mechanism the same as for the discontinuous film above.
Another metal/dielectric conduction system is found at larger dimensions in the Ag-epoxy system of the isotropic electrically conductive adhesive. This has been the most visible research activity recently, focused on the issues of conduction mechanism between metal particles (again) and reliability. The ECA research is the primary activity within the broad field of electronics packaging.
Finally, in the field of electronic device modeling, there is a specific problem in the analysis of resonant tunnel diode circuit stability that would yield a "nice" thesis project.
Selected Publications
J. E. Morris, "Light Emitting Diodes," "Liquid Crystal Displays," & "Single Electron Transistors," in Electrical Engineering Handbook, CRC Press, 2005.
J. E. Morris, "Single Electron Transistors & Discontinuous Thin Films" in The World of Electronics Packaging & System Integration, (IZM-FhG), 2005.
M. Fischer, J. E. Morris, F. Li, C. Brown, M. Chrzanowska-Jeske, A. Hofmann, X. Zong, "Remote Delivery of ECE/CS Degree Education in China," Proc. 2005 ASEE Congress, 2005.
F. Wu, J. E. Morris, "Integration Issues of Cr x(SiO) 1-x On-Chip Resistors," Proc. 55 th IEEE Electronic Components & Technology Conference (ECTC), Orlando, 2005.
J. E. Morris, D. W. Matson, "Resonant Tunnel Diode (RTD) Stability," Proc. 28th International Spring Seminar on Electronics Technology (ISSE) 2005, Vienna, 2005.
J. Liu, Y. Wang, J. E. Morris, "Development of an ontology for the ACA technology in electronics applications," Proc. 10th IEEE Symposium & Exhibition on Advanced Packaging Materials (APM), Irvine, 2005.
J. E. Morris, F. Wu, C. Radehaus, M. Hietschold, A. Henning, K. Hofmann, A. Kiesow, "Single Electron Transistors: Modeling and Fabrication" (Invited) Proc. 7th Internat. Confer. Solid State & Integrated Circuit Technology (ICSICT), Beijing, pp. 634-639, 2004.
P. Moeck, M. Kapilashramu, J. Lee, J. E. Morris, N. D. Browning, P. J. McCann, "Nominal PbSe nano-islands on PbTe: grown by MBE, analyzed by AFM and TEM," Proc. 27th ISSE, Sofia, pp. 91-95, 2004.
James Morris Professor