Michael Pierce Headshot

Michael Pierce

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Program Faculty, School of Chemistry and Materials Science
mspsps@rit.edu
585-475-2089
Office Location
GOS-3218
Office Mailing Address
College of Science, Gosnell, 8-3218, office phone

Michael Pierce

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Program Faculty, School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Education

BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; MS, Ph.D., University of Washington

mspsps@rit.edu
585-475-2089
Areas of Expertise
experimental condensed matter physics
surface science
x-ray scattering

Select Scholarship

Published Conference Proceedings
Teklemarim, Tsion, et al. "The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the properties of evaporated alumina thin films." Proceedings of the Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials 2021. Ed. Christopher Wren Carr, et al. Rochester, NY: SPIE, 2021. Web.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "In Situ Coherent X-ray Scattering and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Hexagonally Reconstructed Au(001) in Electrolytes." Proceedings of the 219th ECS Meeting. Ed. G. Brisard, A. Wieckowski. ECS Transactions: n.p., 2011. Print.
Journal Paper
Wilhelm, Thomas, et al. "Ordered Si Micropillar Arrays via Carbon-Nanotube-Assisted Chemical Etching for Applications Requiring Nonreflective Embedded Contacts." ACS Applied Nano Materials 2. (2019): 7819-7826. Print.
Liu, Yihua, et al. "Layering and Ordering in Electrochemical Double Layers." Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 9. (2018): 1265-1271. Web.
Kawaguchi, Tomoya, et al. "Direct determination of one-dimensional interphase structures using normalized crystal truncation rod analysis." Journal of Applied Crystallography 51. (2018): 1-6. Print.
Barbour, Andi, et al. "Partial Glass Isosymmetry Transition in Multiferroic Hexagonal ErMnO3." Physical Review B 93. (2016): 54113. Print.
Loheac, Andrew, et al. "Interaction of Molecular Oxygen with a Hexagonally Reconstructed Au(001) Surface." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 120. 40 (2016): 23001-23008. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Lubricating Ability of Two Phosphonium-based Ionic Liquids as Additives of a Bio-oil for use in Wind Turbines Gearboxes." Wear. (2016): 1-12. Web.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Interaction of Molecular Oxygen with a Hexagonally Reconstructed Au(001) Surface." Journal of Physical Chemistry 120. 40 (2016): 23001--23008. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Phase Separation, Crystallinity and Monomer-Aggregate Population Control in Solution Processed Small Molecule Solar Cells." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 157. (2016): 366--376. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Partial Glass Isosymmetry Transition in Multiferroic Hexagonal ErMnO3." Physical Review B 93. (2016): 054113---54113. Print.
Pierce, Michael s., et al. "Phase Separation, Crystallinity and Monomer-Aggregate Population Control in Solution Processed Small Molecule Solar Cells." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 157. (2016): 366--376. Print.
Jr., Robert Karl, et al. "Charge-induced equilibrium dynamics and structure at the Ag(001)—electrolyte interface." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 17. (2015): 16682-16687. Print.
Zhu, Chenhui, et al. "Ptychographic x-ray imaging of surfaces on crystal truncation rod." Applied Physics Letters 106. (2015): 101604. Print.
Komanicky, Vladimir, et al. "Growth of Arrays of Oriented Epitaxial Platinum Nanoparticles with Controlled Size and Shape by Natural Colloidal Lithography." Nanoscale Research Letters 9. (2014): 336. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Influence of Structural Disorder on Magnetic Domain Formation in Perpendicular Anisotropy Thin Films." Physical Review B 87. (2013): 184428. Print.
Pierce, Michael S. "Dynamics of Au (100) Surface in Electrolytes: In-Situ Coherent X-ray Scattering." Physical Review B 86. (2013): 085410-. Print.
Pierce, Michael S. "Epitaxial Oxide Bilayer on Pt (001) Nanofacets." Journal of Chemical Physics 136. (2013): 044704-. Print.
Pierce, Michael S. "Study of Electrode Surface Dynamics Using Coherent Surface X-ray Scattering." Electrochemica Acta 82. (2013): 570-. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Dynamics of the Au (001) Surface in Electrolytes: In Situ Coherent X-Ray Scattering." Physical Review B 86. 85410 (2012): 1-7. Print.
Hennessy, Daniel C., et al. "Epitaxial Oxide Bilayer on Pt (001) Nanofacets." Journal of Chemical Physics 136. 4 (2012): 089901-089907. Print.
You, Hoydoo, et al. "Study of Electrode Surface Dynamics Using Coherent Surface X-Ray Scattering." Electrochimica Acta 82. (2012): 570-575. Print.
Pierce, M.S., et al. "Coherent X-Ray Scattering Experiments of Pt(001) Surface Dynamics Near a Roughening Transition." Physical Review B 86. (2012): 184108-5. Print.
Pierce, Michael S. "Coherent X-ray Scattering Experiments of Pt (001) Surface Dynamics near a Roughening Transition." Physical Review B 86. (2012): 184108-184108-6. Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "The Influence of Structural Disorder on Magnetic Domain Formation in Ferromagnetic Thin Films." Physical Review B submitted. (2012) Print.
Pierce, Michael S., et al. "Persistent Oscillations of X-ray Speckles: Pt (001) Step Flow." Applied Physics Letters 99. (2011): 121910-121912. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Pierce, Michael. "Coherent X"‘ray Scattering of Surfaces: From High"‘Z Systems in Vacuum to Real"‘world Environments at Interfaces." Advanced Photon Source User's Meeting. Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne, IL. 10 May 2016. Conference Presentation.
Pierce, Michael. "XPCS from Metal Surfaces and Interfaces." NSLS-II User Meeting. Brookhaven National Laboratory. Upton, NY. 25 May 2016. Lecture.
Karl, Robert, et al. "Charge Induced Dynamics of the Ag (001) Surface." Coherence 2014. Northwestern University, Argonne National Laboratory. Evanston, IL. 2 Sep. 2014. Conference Presentation.
Pierce, Michael S. "Challenges and Frontiers for XPCS of Hard Condensed Matter Systems." NSLS-II First-Experiments. Brookhaven National Laboratory. Brookhaven, New York. 3 Aug. 2013. Lecture.
Pierce, Michael S. "X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy at Surfaces : Challenges and Opportunities for in-situ Surface and Electrochemistry Studies." X-ray Interface Science at Advanced Photon Source: New Sector Development. Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne, IL. 10 Jan. 2012. Lecture.
Pierce, Michael. "XPCS on Surfaces: Challenges and Opportunities." XDL 2011, Science at the Hard X-ray Diffraction Limit. CHESS and Cornell University. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 30 Jun. 2011. Conference Presentation.

Currently Teaching

ASTP-699
Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Graduate Co-op
0 Credits
This course is a cooperative education experience for graduate astrophysical sciences and technology students.
MTSE-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 9 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
PHYS-315
Experiments in Modern Physics
3 Credits
In this course, students perform experiments representative of the foundation of modern quantum physics. These include investigations of wave particle duality, and the earliest of quantum mechanical models as well as measurements of fundamental constants. Experiments typically include electron diffraction, the photoelectric effect, optical diffraction and interference, atomic spectroscopy, charge-to-mass ratio of an electron, and blackbody radiation. This class teaches basic instrumentation techniques as well as data reduction and analysis. Students are expected to keep a laboratory notebook and present results in a journal-style paper.
PHYS-316
Advanced Laboratory in Physics
3 Credits
In this course, students perform advanced experiments representative of the foundation of modern quantum physics. Experiments typically explore properties of materials, semiconductors, atomic physics, and nuclear decay. This class continues the instruction in instrumentation techniques as well as data reduction and analysis that began in Experiments in Modern Physics, PHYS-315. Students are expected to keep a laboratory notebook and present results in a journal-style paper.
PHYS-450
Capstone Preparation
1 Credits
This course is a preparation for the two-semester physics capstone project to be carried out in the following year. It includes selection of a project and faculty mentor, preparation of a feasibility study, preparation of a paper, and a public oral presentation.
PHYS-451
Capstone Project I
3 Credits
In collaboration with faculty mentor(s), students will carry out the first phase of an experimental, theoretical, or computational physics research project, will prepare an interim paper, and will present a short talk on their progress to physics faculty and students. The projects are those planned during the capstone preparatory course taken during the prior Spring semester.
PHYS-452
Capstone Project II
3 Credits
In collaboration with faculty mentor(s), students will carry out the final phase of an experimental, theoretical, or computational physics research project, will prepare a written paper and present an oral report on their progress to physics faculty and students. The projects are those planned during the capstone preparatory course taken during the prior Spring semester and commenced during the prior Fall semester.
PHYS-790
Graduate Research & Thesis
1 - 4 Credits
Graduate-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.

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