Charles M. Falco

Classification: Joint Faculty

Education: 

• Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 1974
• M.S., University of California, Irvine, 1971
• B.S., University of California, Irvine, 1970

Fields of Study: 

• Growth and structure of thin films.
• Applications of thin films to solar energy, displays, optical devices, etc.
• X-ray optics.
• Metallic superlattices.
• Magnetism.
• Superconductivity.
• Computerized imaging.

Research Interests: 

My group's research program involves the growth, study and applications of metallic and semiconductor superlattice thin films and epitaxial ultra-thin films, as well as computerized image analysis. Of current and recent interest are studies of magnetic and magneto-optical properties and devices, superconductivity, X-ray optics, optoelectronic properties and nucleation and epitaxy of thin film materials, as well as development of tools for computerized analysis of complex images. The facilities within my group that support this research include equipment for deposition (by Molecular Beam Epitaxy and sputtering), characterization (by a variety of in situ and ex situ probes) and measurement of various physical properties.

Honors and Awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Senior Distinguished U.S. Scientist Award, 1989
• American Physical Society: Fellow, 1987
• Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen (Germany): Bodo von Borries Memorial Lecture, 2009
• Florida State University: Sir Neville Mott Memorial Lecture, 2006
• IEEE: Fellow, 2005
• IEEE: Senior Member, 1988
• Industrial Research Magazine: IR-100 Award, 1977
• International Association of Art Critics (AICA; U.S. Chapter): Best Design Exhibition, Second Place 1998; shared with Frank Gehry, Thomas Krens, Ultan Guilfoyle and Matthew Drutt
• Miami University: 31st Annual George C. Benson Memorial Lecture, 1999
• Minnesota State University: Comstock Lecture, 2010
• National Art Education Association: Ziegfeld Lectureship Award, 2008
• National Science Foundation: Distinguished Lecture in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 2006
• National Science Foundation: Traineeship, 1970-1974
• The Optical Society (OSA): Fellow, 2000
• Phi Beta Kappa: Visiting Scholar, 2011-2012
• Princeton University: Louis Clark Vanuxem Lectures, 2002
• SPIE: Fellow, 2009
• Technology Magazine: Technology 100 Award, 1981
• The University of Arizona: Researcher at the Leading Edge, 2009
• University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana: Laredo Taft Lecture, 2004
• University of Michigan: Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Visitors Lecture, 2004
• University of Washington: Walker-Ames Memorial Lecture, 2010
• Washington University in St. Louis: School of Engineering and Applied Science & School of Art Sesquicentennial Assembly Series Lecture, 2004