Dr. Michael Robertson

Education

B.Sc., University of Waterloo (1988)
Ph.D., University of Waterloo (1996)

Post-Doctoral Experience

Cornell University (1996-1997)

Industrial Experience

Noranda Forest Recycled Papers (1988-1991)
E.B. Eddy Forest Products (1997-1998)
JDS Uniphase Corp. (1998-2002)

Awards and Honours

Acadia Student Union Teaching Recognition Award, Quantum Mechanics I & II (2009-10)
Canada Research Chair in Materials Science (2002-2012)
Jodrey Chair in Physics (2016 - present)

Research Interests

My primary research interest is in the use of scanning and transmission electron microscopy for the characterization and inter-relation of the physical, electronic and optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures.  In addition, I am actively involved in multidisciplinary collaborations with several other researchers at Acadia University.  These research projects are usually motivated by students wishing to study at the interface between two science displiciplines, say, geology and physics.  This gives students the benefits of learning techniques from two fields with the added bonus of being jolly good fun!

Undergraduate Theses

Alina Rutherford, Biology, Changing Vertical Substrate Colour to Reduce Seabird Collisions Caused by Artificial Light, Co-supervised with Dave Shutler, Biology, Acadia University (2024-5).

Mathieu Godbold-Smith, Biology, Quantifying Effects of Light Wavelength on Attracting Leach’s Storm-Petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous), Co-supervised with Dave Shutler, Biology, Acadia University (2022-3).

Tanden Cook, Physics, Density Functional Theory Simulations of Silicon, alpha-quartz and moganite (2020-2021).

Brett Liem, Physics, Applications of Optical Spectroscopy (2019-20).

Olivia Raiche-Tanner, Physics, Design and Refinement of a Broad-Spectrum Imaging System for the Examination of Archival Documents (2017-8).

Brendan Edwards, Physics, Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis of MnSi on SiC, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Theodore Monchesky, Dalhousie University (2015-16).

Michael Bauer, Physics, The Numerical Calculation of (S)TEM Images and Diffraction Patterns for the Various Phases of MnSi & MnGe Strained Layers (2014-5).

Ethan Avila, Physics, SEM and EBIC Study of Charge Density Wave Materials, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Craig Bennett, Physics (2014-15).

Wesley Bowman, Physics, Digital In-Line Holography and the Numerical Reconstruction of Holograms (2013).

Graham Reid, Physics, Multislice Simulation of TEM Images (2011).

Cathryn Parsons, Physics, Optimization of the Monocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope, (2011).  Co-Supervisor: Dr. Tim Winslade, VisionCare Optometry Centre, Wolfville, NS.

Daniel Webber, Physics, Development of a Cathodoluminescence Detector & Scientific Instrumentation, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Peter Williams, Physics (2010).

Geoff Mason, Physics, Imaging of Charge Density Waves in a SEM. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Craig Bennett, Physics (2010).

Emma Murowinski, Physics, Magnetometer Study of Bloody Creek Crater. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Cliff Stanley, Earth and Environmental Science (2009).

John Saunders, Chemistry, Development of Fibre-Optic Based Sensors. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Anthony Tong, Chemistry (2009).

Justin Granek, Physics, Ultra High-Resolution Imaging of Brachiopod Shells: Assessing Their Robustness as Paleo-Environmental Indicators. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Peir Pufahl, Earth and Environmental Science (2009).

Krista Raffel, Physics, TEM Characterization of MnSi Layers Grown on Silicon [111] Substrates. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ted Monchesky, Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (2009).

Sandra Yuill, Physics, Cathodoluminescence Study of Semiconductor Nanostructures (2007 - 8).

Tyler Burke, Physics, Dalhousie University, TEM characterization of magnetic semiconductor nanostructures. Primary Supervisor: Dr. Ted Monchesky, Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (2006 – 7).

Braden Dulong, Physics, Simulation and Optimization of Transmission Electron Microscope Diffraction Contrast Images by the Bloch Wave Method. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ronald Haynes, Mathematics and Statistics (2006 - 7)

Matt Corkum, Physics, Wind Driven Currents in the Antarctic. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Richard Karsten, Mathematics and Statistics (2005 - 6).

Robert Thompson, Physics, Field Emission from Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Shams Mohajerzadeh, University of Tehran, Tehran (2005 - 6).

Megan Burns, Physics, Characterization of Semiconductor Quantum Dots by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Craig Bennett, Physics (2005 - 6).

Jean MacLachlan, Physics, High Resolution Electron Microscopy Studies of A_xNb₃Te₄. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Craig Bennett, Physics (2005 - 6).

Augustus Webb, Physics, Physical and Electronic Structure of Semiconductor Quantum Dots (2004 - 5).

Robert McDougall, Physics, Electrical and TEM Characterization of CDW Materials. Co-Supervisor:Dr. Craig Bennett, Physics (2004 - 5).

Xiaoxiao Cui, Physics, Development of a Low-Cost, Precision Gravimeter. Co-Supervisors: Dr. Peter Williams, Physics and Dr. Cliff Stanley, Geology (2003 - 4).

Eric Oliver, Physics, Optical Bistability and Soliton Switching in an Optical Ring Cavity. Co-supervisor: Dr. Holger Teissman, Mathematics and Statistics (2003 - 4).

Randall Stafford, Physics, Miniaturization of a Wet Oxidation Method for Determination of Carbon Content of Copepods and Daphnia Using a Fibre-Optic Microspectrometer. Co-supervisor: Dr. John Roff, Environmental Science, (2003 - 4).

Graduate Theses

Linda Hutchinson, Quantifying effects of light wavelength on attraction of Leach’s storm-petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous ), MSc., Acadia University, NS (2023-).  Co-Supervisors: Dave Shutler, Acadia University and Nelson O’Driscoll, Acadia University.

Abu Sarker, Adaptive Mesh Finite Element Modeling of Pitting and Crack Formation, PhD., Memorial University (2020 – 2023). Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ronald Haynes, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.

Shaun Hillier, Optimization of Computational Times for the Simulation of TEM Images, MSc., Memorial University (2011 – 2012, tragically passed away before completion).  Primary Supervisor: Dr. Ronald Haynes, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.

Eric Karhu, Structural and Magnetic Properties of Epitaxial MnSi(111) Thin Films, Ph.D., Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (Jan. 2006 - 2012).  Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ted Monchesky, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.

Bahman Hekmatshoar-Tabari, Growth of Polycrystalline Germanium on Plastic Assisted by External Mechanical Stress, Ph.D., University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran (2003 - 4).  Primary Supervisor – Dr. Shams Mohajerzadeh, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Davood Shahrjerdi, Fabrication of Thin Film Transistors on Flexible Plastic Substrates, MSc., University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran (2003 - 4).  Primary Supervisor – Dr. Shams Mohajerzadeh, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Publications

For a list of my publications, visit this page.

Geological Materials

As a result of a few undergraduate honours students interested in doing their thesis research on a topic that involves both geology and physics, I became interested in the study of geological samples. In particular, the photo- and cathodoluminescent (light emitting) properties of rocks and fossils. To learn more, visit this page.

Optical Methods Applied to Historical Documents

It sometimes happens that ink used in the preparation of documents will fade resulting in reduced contrast between the ink and substrate (paper, parchment, pottery, etc.), often to the point where the writing is no longer readable.  One method for recovering contrast between the ink and substrate is to use imaging techniques involving a variety of light sources, filters and cameras. Even though the ink may be invisible using normal indoor lighting and our eyes, residual ink may absorb, reflect or luminesce with colours outside the normal range of human vision. Click here to view a presentation that outlines some of our work using these techniques.

Numerical Simulations - (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscopy

In order to interpet images and diffraction patterns obtained from a (scanning) transmission electron microscope ((S)TEM), numerical simulations often need to be performed. Over the years, my students and I have prepared a number of utilities and software programs to perform these simulations using the multislice method.   Visit this page for more information.

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