Theva Thevuthasan
Chief Scientist, WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Interfacial & Nanoscale Science FacilityCurrent Activities and Projects
Dr. Thevuthasan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the later part of 1993 and he has been working in the development of experimental capabilities associated with accelerator facility and research programs related to high-energy ion solid interactions at EMSL since then. He is best known as a leader in the application of ion beam analysis to oxide thin film materials. Most recently, he was assigned as a Technical Lead for EMSL's Interfacial and Nanoscale Science Facility group.
He has authored or coauthored more than 115 peer-reviewed scientific journal publications, 40 peer-reviewed proceedings papers, numerous technical reports, one patent, and two invention reports in his areas of expertise.
Research Interests
Dr. Thevuthasan has an international reputation for his research studies in the field of ion solid interactions in general, and the applications of ion beams in thin films and surface science in particular. He specializes in the area of ion beam modification and analysis of materials especially single crystal oxides, ceramics, and minerals. He has published research on structural and chemical properties of surfaces and metal/oxide interfaces, ion implantation damage accumulation and thermal recovery in oxides and ceramics, synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, hydrogen diffusion in oxides and at metal/oxide interfaces and development of photoelectron holography.
Past Experience
- 12/93-present: Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist/Staff Scientist, EMSL.
- 8/90-12/93: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Hawaii /University of California at Davis and Guest Scientist/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
- 9/89-8/90: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Florida.
- 6/87-9/89: LASST Fellow, Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology, University of Maine.
- 9/86-5/87: Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics, University of Maine.
- 9/84-9/86: Research Assistant/Associate, Energy Technology, AIT, Bangkok, Thailand.
- 1/83-8/84: Scholarship for Graduate Study, Energy Technology, AIT, Thailand.
- 10/81-12/82: Assistant Lecturer, University of Peradeniya/Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Education
- PhD, Physics (Solid State-Surface Science), University of Maine, 1989
- MSc, Energy Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, 1984
- BSc, Physics, (Honors, second class upper division), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1981
Awards, Honors, & Appointments
- PNNL Outstanding Performance Award (2004) for "Outstanding Project Research - DOE Basic Energy Sciences."
- PNNL Chester L. Cooper Mentor of the Year Award (2002) for mentoring postdoctoral research associates and students.
- PNNL Outstanding Performance Award (October 2000) for Scientific and Technology development Contribution "Cleaving of single crystal oxide films using ion beam."
- PNNL Outstanding Performance Award (October 2000) for scientific and technology development contribution "Characterization of low k materials using ion beam techniques."
- PNNL Outstanding Performance Award (1999) for "Taking charge of the EMSL accelerator facility and developing it as a significant user and program tool at PNNL."
Publications >View All Publications
Professional Societies
- Member, American Vacuum Society
- Member, Science and Technology Society
- Member, American Physical Society
- Member, American Association of Advancement of Science
- Co-Chair, Ion Beam Analysis of Oxide Thin Films, 18th Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, 2004
- Co-Chair, Surface Analysis '04/Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Vacuum Society Symposium/EMSL 2004
- Chair, Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Vacuum Society, 2003-2004
- Short Course Coordinator, National American Vacuum Society, Short Course Executive Committee, 2004-2007
- Co-Chair, 16th International Conference on Ion Beam Analysis, 2003
- Guest Editor, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 207 (2003)
- Chair, Materials Analysis with Ion Beams, 17th Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, 2002
- Co-Chair, Ion Beam Processing of Ceramics and Glasses, 104th American Ceramic Society Meeting, 2002
- Chair, Materials Analysis with Ion Beams, 16th Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, 2000
- Chair, Local Arrangements Committee, Surface Analysis?98/Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Vacuum Society Symposium, 1998.
