"Phase and Property Control of Vanadium Dioxide Thin Films" 

Claire Mihalko, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisor: Professor Haiyan Wang

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ABSTRACT

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) and its unique semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) was discovered relatively recently in human history. However, despite decades of research there is still much debate on its exact mechanism due to the interdependence of a material’s structure and electronics. While this interdependence complicates mechanistic study it provides many opportunities for tuning the transition. Since 2009, with increased understanding of strain effects, interest in the tuning and application of this transition has accelerated. This paper intends to discuss both structural and electronic based methods for tuning this transition, specifically: stoichiometry, strain, and doping. Once again, while each may focus on a specific method, they are interdependent. By comparing different tuning methods and their effects, improved understanding of both the SMT itself and the accompanying material properties will follow.