The Martin Lab is housed in the newest science and engineering building at Rice University. This 250,000 sq. ft., research-focused facility was opened in fall 2023 and was designed to maximize research space and foster interaction, accommodating ~50 labs, two classrooms, a café, and areas for meetings/events.

Cluster tool with a IR-laser heater and double-differentially pumped, high-pressure RHEED PLD growth system (Neocera) which is connected via vacuum transfer line to an ultra-high vacuum sputtering deposition system for in situ deposition of complex-oxide and metal films (Kurt J. Lesker)

TSST multi-target PLD system with double differentially pumped, high-pressure RHEED growth

AJA cluster tool with a double-differentially pumped, high-pressure RHEED PLD growth system which is connected via vacuum transfer line to an ultra-high vacuum sputtering deposition system for in situ deposition of complex-oxide and metal films

Custom-built, double-differentially pumped, high-pressure RHEED growth system with time-of-flight ion-scattering and recoil spectroscopy (TOF-ISARS) for in situ surface chemistry characterization

The laboratory is constructed around laser/chamber clusters to maximize access to a range of materials in a rapid and agile fashion

Seven standard PLD chambers with multi-target carousels capable of handling up to 6 targets and including computer-controlled interfaces for automated growth

Coherent LPX 305 (2) and Coherent COMPex lasers 

Custom-built, six-target, ultra-high vacuum metal sputtering chamber with load lock

Range of chemical hoods for various materials fabrication and processing activities

Panalytical X’Pert MRD Pro 4-circle diffractometers (2) optimized for complex-oxide thin film characterization

Two (2) Asylum Research MFP-3D capable of AFM, PFM, c-AFM, MFM studies at voltages up to 100 V and temperatures up to 300°C

Digital Instruments MultiMode systems (2) capable of AFM, PFM, c-AFM, MFM

Quantum Design Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS) capable of operation at 4-400K and 0-5 Tesla

Cryogenics 14 T, cryogen-free setup with additional resistivity, motorized rotation, and electronics setups

LakeShore vacuum, temperature-dependent (4-600 K) probe station for measurement of dielectric, pyroelectric, ferroelectric, electronic, etc. properties of thin films samples

Signatone probe stations (2) capable of measurement of dielectric, pyroelectric, ferroelectric, electronic, etc. properties of thin films samples from 300-850 K

Various furnaces (2) capable of operation up to 1300°C in a range of control environments

West Bond 5400B, compatible with aluminum and gold wire

When connected with the Potentiostat/Galvanostat: PARSTAT 3000, the instrument is suitable for electrochemical and impedance spectroscopy studies with a frequency range of 7 MHz to 10 uHz. The measurement setup together with the tube furnace enables electrochemical studies at varied temperature and atmospheric gas environment.

Table top sputtering for rapid contact deposition.

State-of-the-art nano-fabrication facility including >15,000 sq. ft. of Class100/1000 cleanroom and associated hardware

National Electrostatics Corp. model 5SDH pelletron tandem accelerator this facility offers a complete suite of capabilities, including Rutherford backscattering, for rapid thin-film analysis utilizing an energetic ion beam

Nanoscience research user facility that provides access to cutting-edge expertise and instrumentation in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment

Features cutting-edge instrumentation, techniques, and expertise required for exceptionally high-resolution imaging and analytical characterization of a broad array of materials

Synchrotron facility that provides access to the brightest beams of soft X-rays, together with hard X-rays and infrared, for scientific research and technology development

Beamline 4.0.2 – Magnetic Spectroscopy and Scattering

Beamline 6.3.1 – Magnetic Spectroscopy/Materials Science

Beamline 11.0.1 – PEEM3

National user facility providing access to a broad range of nanoscience research, including nanomaterials synthesis, nanofabrication, imaging/microscopy/ characterization, and theory/modeling/ simulation

Premier national research facility provides ultra-bright, high-energy x-ray beams to more than 5,000 (and growing) scientists from across the United States.