Pulse Thermal Processing of Photovoltaic Material Systems

Dr. Ron Ott obtained a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering in 1997 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham while under the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML) Graduate Fellowship Program. He joined ORNL's Metals Science and Technology Division (MSTD) in 1999 after the completion of his post doctorate position at the University of Alabama's Center for Materials for Information Technology. He is a senior R&D engineer in the Materilas Processing Group and has over 6 years experience in rapid thermal processing of thin-films and nanoparticle systems utilizing the high density plasma arc lamp. He oversees the operation of the Infrared Processing Center within the Materials Processing Group developing programs associated with thin film flexible micro-electronics.

 

He was the inventor the unique Pulse Thermal Processing (PTP) technology utilizing the high density plasma arc lamp for processing thin-films and nanoparticle systems over broad areas and on temperature sensitive substrates, such as polymers. He has been instrumental in pushing MSTD into the arena of post deposition annealing of thin-films and nanoparticle by organizing internal workshops to enable ORNL to position itself to be world leaders in this field of materials processing. He has over 25 publications, given numerous technical presentations and holds two patents.

ORNL is a multiprogram science and technology laboratory managed for the U.S. Department of Energy by UT-Battelle, LLC. Scientists and engineers at ORNL conduct basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security.