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Robert Culbertson

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Department of Physics
Associate Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1504
Biography: 

Robert Culbertson is an associate professor in the Department of Physics at Arizona State University and has been the director of the Master of Natural Science Program in physics since 2007. 

 

Education: 
  • Ph.D. Physics, Pennsylvania State University 1979
  • B.S. Physics, Kent State University, OH 1975
Publications: 
  • U.S. Patent Publication: “Methods for Wafer Bonding and for Nucleating Bonding Nanophases Using Wet and Steam Pressurization,” Nicole Herbots, Shawn Whaley, Robert Culbertson, Ross Bennett-Kennett, Ashlee Murphy, Matthew Bade, Sam Farmer, Brance Hudzietz, US 20140235031 A1, August 21, 2014.
  • U.S. Patent Publication: “Molecular Film Containing Polymeric Mixture for Hydrophobic Implant Surfaces,” Nicole Herbots, Ashlee Murphy, David Sell, Robert Culbertson, Angelica S. Benitez, Tyler Kutz, Ross Bennett-Kennett, Matthew Bade, Brance P. Hudzeitz, US 20140295054 A1, October 2, 2014.
  • U.S. Patent Granted: “Methods for Preparing Semiconductor Substrates and Interfacial Oxides,” Inventors: N. Herbots, J.D. Bradley, J.M. Shaw, R.J. Culbertson, and V. Atluri, Application No. 11/741,563.
  • J.A. Middleton, S. Krause, S. Maass, K. Beeley, J. Collofello, and R.J. Culbertson, “Early Course and Grade Predictors of Persistence in Undergraduate Engineering Majors,” Proceedings of the IEEE Frontiers in Engineering Conference, Madrid, Spain, pp 2285-2291, October 2014
  • N. Herbots, Q. Xing, M.A. Hart, J.D. Bradley, D.A. Sell, R.J. Culbertson, and B.J. Wilkens, “IBMM of OH Adsorbates and Interphases on Si-based Materials,” Nuc. Instrum. Meth. B272, 330-333 (2012).
  • Amber Strunk, Kelli Gamez Warble, Robert J. Nemanich, and Robert J. Culbertson, “Incorporating Authentic Scientific Research and The Nature of Science Into the High School Classroom,” Proceedings of the Materials Research Society, Vol. 1364 (2011).
  • Tapati Sen, Dale R. Baker, and Robert Culbertson, “The Impact of Summer Research Experience for Science Teachers on Classroom Instruction,” Proceedings of the Materials Research Society, 1364 (2011).
  • D. Hestenes, C. Megowan-Romanowicz, S.E. Osborn Popp, J. Jackson, and R.J. Culbertson, “A Graduate Program for High School Physics and Physical Science Teachers,” American Journal of Physics 79, 971 (2011)
  • Q. Xing, M. Hart, R.J. Culbertson, J.D. Bradley, N. Herbots, B.J. Wilkens, D.A. Sell, and C.F. Watson, “Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) for Silicate Coatings on High Impact Resistance Polycarbonates,” Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, AIP Conf. Proc. 1336, 303-309 (2011).
  • Q. Xing, N. Herbots, M.A. Hart, J.D. Bradley, B.J. Wilkens, D.A. Sell, C.H. Sell, H.M. Kwong, R.J. Culbertson, and S.D. Whaley, “Ion Beam Analysis of Silicon-Based Surfaces and Correlation with Surface Energy Measurements,” Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, AIP Conf. Proc. 1336, 201-207 (2011).
  • S. Krause, J. Meyer Thompson, C. Mehrens, D. Baker, and R.J. Culbertson “Designing, Building, and Analyzing Musical Instruments As a Gateway to Mathematics, Science, and Engineering For Pre-Service Education Majors,” American Society of Engineering Education (online, 2010).
  • L. Zeng, E. Helgren, M. Rahimi, F. Hellman, R. Islam, B.J. Wilkens, R.J. Culbertson, and D. J. Smith, “Quenched magnetic moment in Mn-doped amorphous Si films,” Phys. Rev. B77, 073306 (2008).
  • F. Wu, A. Pavlovska, D.J. Smith, R.J. Culbertson, B.J. Wilkens, and E. Bauer, “Growth and structure of epitaxial CeO2 films on yttria-stabilized ZrO2,” Thin Solid Films 516, 4908-4914 (2008).
  • Steve Krause, Robert J. Culbertson, Mike Oehrtman, and Marilyn Carlson, “High School Teacher Change, Strategies, and Actions in a Professional Development Project Connecting Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, Proc. of 38th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October 22-25, 2008, Saratoga Springs, NY. Note: Winner of Benjamin J. Dasher Award for Best Paper at FIE 2008.
    http://mathed.asu.edu/msp/rsrchfiles/FIE08%20MSP.pdf
  • J. D. Bradley, N. Herbots, R. J. Culbertson, J. M. Shaw, V. Atluri. “Characterization of Oxide/Semiconductor Interfaces for CMOS Technologies,” edited by Y. Chabal, A. Estève, N. Richard, G. Wilk, Proceedings of the Materials Research Society Volume 996E, Warrendale, PA (2007)
  • J.M. Shaw, N. Herbots, Q.B. Hurst, J.D. Bradley, and R.J. Culbertson, “Atomic Displacement free interfaces and atomic registry in SiO2 / (1x1) Si(100), J. Appl. Phys. 100, 101104 (2006)
  • Q.B. Hurst, N. Herbots, J.M. Shaw, M. Floyd, D.J. Smith, R.J. Culbertson, M. Grams, J.D. Bradley, and V. Atluri, in Ultrathin SiO2 and High-K materials for ULSI Gate Dielectrics, ed. By H.R. Huff, J.L. Green, T. Hattori, G. Lucovsky, and C.A. Richter, Proceedings of the Materials Research Society 567 (2002).
  • K.E. Daley, D.T. Vonk, R.J.Culbertson, “Ultra shallow Sb doped layer formation in Si (001) by the use of recoil implantation,” AIP Conf. Proc. (2001), 576 (Applications of Accelerators in Research and Industry), 908-910.
  • N. Herbots, J.M. Shaw, Q.B. Hurst, M.P. Grams, R.J. Culbertson, D.J. Smith, V. Atluri, and P. Zimmerman, “The Formation of Ordered Ultrathin SiO2/Si(100) Interfaces grown on (1x1) Si(100),” Mater. Sci. and Engin. B 87, 303 (2001)
  • Q.B. Hurst, N. Herbots, J.M. Shaw, M.M. Floyd, D.J. Smith, R.J. Culbertson, M.P. Grams, J.D. Bradley, and P. Zimmerman, and V. Atluri. Long Range Order In Ultra-Thin SiO2 Grown On Si(100), Mater. Res. Soc. Symp.. Proc. Vol. 567, Ultrathin SiO2 and High-K Materials for ULSI Gate Dielectrics, Editors:  H.R. Huff, M.L. Green, T. Hattori, G. Lucovsky, C.A. Richter, p.181 (2000)
  • N. Herbots, V. Atluri, Q. Hurst, J. M. Shaw, S. Banerjee, J. D. Bradley, R. J. Culbertson, and D. J. Smith, Discovery Of  Long Range Order In SiO2 Grown On Si(100): By Ion Channeling Combined With Nuclear Resonance Analysis, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 510, Defect and Impurity Engineered Semiconductors and Devices II, Eds S.Ashok, J. Chevallier, K. Sumino, B.L. Soppori, W. Goetz, R.C. Bowman, p. 157 (1999)
  • V. Atluri , N. Herbots, R. Carpio , B. Fowler, Q. Hurst, M. Johnson, R.J. Culbertson, “H-passivation of Si(100) By Wet Chemical Cleaning: Discovery of Ordering,” Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 513,  Hydrogen in Semiconductors and Metals, Eds N.H. Nickel, W.B. Jackson, R.C. Bowman (1998)
  • J.D. Lorentzen, G.H. Loechelt, M.A. Melèndez-Lira, J. Menèdez, S. Sego, R.J. Culbertson, W. Windl, and O.F. Sankey, “Photoluminescence in Si1-x-yGexCy Alloys,” Appl. Phys. Lett. (May 1997).
  • S. Sego, R.J. Culbertson, A.E. Bair, and T.L. Alford, “Comparison between Predicted Strain Values Using Elastic Theory and Experimental Strain Values for SiGeC alloy films grown on Si(001),” J. Mat. Chem. and Phys. 46, 277 (1997)
  • A.E. Bair, T.L. Alford, S. Sego, Z. Atzmon, and R.J. Culbertson, “An X-ray Diffraction Study of SiGeC/(100) Si Alloys,” J. Mat. Chem. and Phys. 46, 283 (1997).
  • M. Melèndez-Lira, J. Menèndez, W. Windl, O.F. Sankey, G.S. Spencer, S. Sego, and R.J. Culbertson, “Carbon Dependence of Raman Mode Frequencies in Si1-x-yGexCy Alloys,” Phys. Rev. B54, 12866 (1996).
  • S. Sego, R.J. Culbertson, David J. Smith, Z. Atzmon, and A.E. Bair, “Strain Measurements of SiGeC Heteroepitaxial Layers on Si(001) Using Ion Beam Analysis,” J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A14, 441 (1996).
  • R. Garcia, T. Alford, K. Daley, S. Sego, S.H. Shiu, R.J. Culbertson, and D.B. Poker, “Sb Ion Implantation and Annealing of SiGeC Heteroepitaxial Layers on Si(001),” J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A13, 665 (1995).
  • S.W. Russell, A.E. Bair, M.J. Rack, D. Adams, R.L. Spreitzer, T.L. Alford, and R.J. Culbertson, “Investigation of Chromium Nitridation using Ion Beam Resonance Analysis,” Proceedings of the Materials Research Society 337, 619 (1995).
  • M.W. Copel, R.J. Culbertson, and R.M. Tromp, “Relaxation and H coverage of ammonium fluoride treated Si(111),” Appl. Phys. Lett. 65, 2344 (1994).
  • O.C. Hellman,  N. Herbots, O. Vancauwenberghe,  J.L. Olson, R.J. Culbertson, W.J. Croft, “Microstructure and Stoichiometry Dependence of Ion beam Nitrides as a Function of Energy and Temperature: a Comparative Study between Si and SiGe,” J. Vac. Sci. Tech. A10(4), 1631 (1992).
  • O.C. Hellman, O. Vancauwenberghe, N. Herbots, J. Olson, R.J. Culbertson, and W.J. Croft,  “Structure and Properties of silicon nitride and SixGe1-x Nitride Prepared by Low Energy Ion Beam Nitridation,” Mat. Sci. Eng, B12 53-59 (1992).
Research Activity: 
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
PHS 115Science of Musical Instruments
PHY 151Physics II
PHY 492Honors Directed Study
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
DCI 784Internship
PHY 792Research
Summer 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
CHM 540Integrated Physics & Chemistry
PHS 540Integrated Physics & Chemistry
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 150Physics I
PHY 493Honors Thesis
PHY 495Project Research
PHS 593Applied Project
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 151Physics II
PHS 194Special Topics
PHY 492Honors Directed Study
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
DCI 784Internship
PHY 792Research
Summer 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
CHM 560Matter and Light
PHS 560Matter and Light
PHS 592Research
PHS 593Applied Project
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 150Physics I
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 593Applied Project
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 151Physics II
PHS 194Special Topics
PHY 492Honors Directed Study
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
DCI 784Internship
PHY 792Research
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
CHM 581Structure of Matter/Properties
PHS 581Structure of Matter/Properties
PHS 592Research
PHS 593Applied Project
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 150Physics I
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 593Applied Project
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 151Physics II
PHY 492Honors Directed Study
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
DCI 784Internship
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
CHM 540Integrated Physics & Chemistry
PHS 540Integrated Physics & Chemistry
PHS 593Applied Project
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 150Physics I
PHY 493Honors Thesis
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 593Applied Project
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 151Physics II
PHS 194Special Topics
PHY 492Honors Directed Study
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 590Reading and Conference
PHS 593Applied Project
DCI 784Internship
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PHS 560Matter and Light
PHS 593Applied Project
CHM 594Conference and Workshop
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PHY 150Physics I
PHY 493Honors Thesis
PHY 495Project Research
PHY 499Individualized Instruction
PHS 593Applied Project
PHY 792Research
PHY 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • S. Sinha, A. Acharya, N. Herbots, C. Watson, E. Culbertson, M. Matiski, A.Orr, R. Bennett-Kennett, A. Murphy, E. Morgan, A. Brimhall, R. Culbertson. HemoClear™: A Thin Fluid Film Device (TFFD™) and Model to Eliminate Both Blood and Fogging on Surgical Lenses. American Physical Society Fall Meeting - Four Corners, Orem, Utah; October, 17, 2014 (Oct 2014).
  • M. Gupta, N. Herbots, M. Mangus, M. Neric, A. Woolson, R.J. Culbertson, B.J. Wilkens, A.Causey, Alex Brimhall, C. Watson, S. Sinha, A. Acharya. Detection of Percolation in Hermetic Single-Device Human Implants by Ion Beam Analysis (IBA). American Physical Society Fall Meeting - Four Corners, Orem, Utah; 10/2014 (Oct 2014).
  • E.Davis, N. Herbots, S. Whaley, R. Bennett-Kennett, R.J. Culbertson, A. Causey, R. Rhoades, S. Drews, C. Watson, JD Bradley, D. Sell, P.Rez, B.J.Wilkens. Hermetic Nano-BondingTM and Surface Characterization for Medical Implants and Marine and Air Sensors. American Physical Society Fall Meeting - Four Corners, Orem, Utah; October, 17, 2014 (Oct 2014).
  • S.A. Sinha, A.J. Acharya, N. Herbots, E.J. Culbertson, C.F. Watson, M. Matiski, A.J. Orr, R.B. Bennett-Kennett, A.M. Murphy, B.W. Hughes, A.S. Benitez, T.T. Kutz, D.A. Sell, E.R. Morgan, A.L. Brimhall, R.J. Culbertson. HemoClear™: A Thin Fluid Film Device (TFFD™) for evacuating Blood and eliminating fogging on Surgical and Implant Lenses. TechConnect World Innovaton Conference & Expo, Jun 15-18, 2014, Washington DC (Jun 2014).
  • M. Neric, M.W. Mangus Jr., A.M. Slyder, A.J. Woolson, S.A. Singh, R.J. Culbertson, B.J. Wilkens, K.T. Nguyen, N. Herbots, A.J. Acharya, C.F. Watson. Nuclear Resonance Analysis Coupled with Ion Channeling to Enhance Detection of Light Elements in Heavier Substrates. TechConnect World Innovaton Conference & Expo, Jun 15-18, 2014, Washington DC (Jun 2014).
  • K. Leaming, S.D. Whaley, N. Herbots, R.B. Bennett-Kennett, C.F. Watson, E.R.C. Morgan, R.J. Culbertson, R.L. Rhoades, S.N. Drews, J.D. Bradley, D.A. Sell, P. Rez, B.J. Wilkens, M.W. Mangus, H.M. Johnson. Hermetic Bonding in Single Device Medical Implants, Night Vision Goggles, Marine Sensors Via Wet Nanobonding™ at T< 200°C of Si/SiO2. TechConnect World Innovaton Conference & Expo, Jun 15-18, 2014, Washington DC (Jun 2014).
  • M. Mangus, M. Neric, KT Nguyen, A. Slyder, AJ Woolson, S. Sinha, N. Herbots, RJ Culbertson, BJ Wilkens, C. Watson2, ER Morgan, AJ Acharya. Ion Beam Analysis of Materials Used in Hermetic Single-Device Human Implants integrating Bio-sensors with Medical Electronics. 23rd Internat. Conf. on Applic. of Accelerators in Research & Industry (CAARI 2014), San Antonio, TX (May 2014).
  • SD Whaley, N. Herbots, RB Bennett-Kennett, ER Morgan, RJ Culbertson, RL Rhoades, SN Drews, CF Watson, JD Bradley, D. Sell, P. Rez, BJ Wilkens, M. Mangus, H. Johnson. Ion Beam Analysis of Wet NanoBonding™ of Si-to-SiO2 and SiO2-to-Silica for single-device sensing electronics using Atomic Force Microscopy & Three Liquids Contact Angle Analysis to Correlate Components of the Surface Free Energy to Topography and Composition. 23rd Internat. Conf. on Applic. of Accelerators in Research & Industry (CAARI 2014), San Antonio, TX (May 2014).
  • Culbertson, Robert, Thompson, A, Dukerich, L, McNamara, R. Connecting Mathematics, Science, and Music using Fretted Musical Instruments. AAPT National Meeting (Aug 2006).
  • Herbots, N, Thompson, A, Culbertson, Robert. The Impact of Online Homework on Introductory Calculus-based Physics. AAPT National Meeting (Aug 2006).
  • Thompson, A, Oehrtman, M, Culbertson, Robert. Incorporation of Mathematical Covariational Reasoning in Introductory Physics. AAPT National Meeting (Aug 2006).
  • Weaver, D, Dukerich, L, McNamara, R, Culbertson, Robert. FUNctions in Motion. AAPT National Meeting (Aug 2006).
  • Bauer, Richard, Birk, Jame, Culbertson, Robert. Project pathways: Connecting chemistry, physics, and math. Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Jul 2006).
  • Krause, Steve, Burrows, Veronica, Pizziconi, Vince, Culbertson, Robert, Carlson, Marilyn. Connecting Engineering Design to High School Science and Mathematics in a Mathematics-Science Partnership Program. National Meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education (Jun 2006).
  • Culbertson, Robert, Ortiz, L, Oehrtman, M, Carlson, M. Project Pathways: Connecting math and science for high school teachers. National Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (Aug 2005).
  • Gibson, Kevin, Culbertson, Robert. The Relativity concept inventory and what is learned. National Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (Aug 2005).
  • Gibson, Kevin, Culbertson, Robert, Colleen Megowan, M. Instruction of special relativity to college engineering students. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers
Work History: 
  • 1/07 – Present Director, Master of Natural Science Program (Physics), ASU.
  • 1/05 – 8/08 Associate Director, Center for Research on Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (CRESMET), ASU.
  • 5/97 – Present Associate Professor, Department of Physics, ASU.
  • 8/92 – 5/04 Director, Facility for Ion Beam Analysis of Materials.
  • 8/91 – 5/97 Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, ASU.
  • 3/88 – 8/91 Team Leader, Research Physicist, Facility for Analysis and Research of Materials, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Watertown, MA.
  • 7/81 – 3/88 Research Staff Member, Solid State Division, Atomic Collisions Group and Facility for Materials Research Analysis (SMAC) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.
  • 9/79 – 07/81 Postdoctoral Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ.
Expertise Areas: 
Physics and Society
Nanoscience and Material Physics