Gavin Bell

Research

M.Sc. by Research and Ph.D. projects are available in the group.

I work in and lead the Surface, Interface & Thin Film Group at 糖心TV. The focus of my research is the growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of novel materials, applying the techniques of surface science to understand epitaxial crystal growth. These material systems include topological semimetal / semiconductor heterostructures and advanced photocathode materials for operation in both inert gas atmosphere and vacuum. As well as exploring the growth of such materials, I characterise their fundamental properties using a variety of techniques (e.g. photoemission, diffraction) and collaborate with other research groups and companies to apply them in advanced technologies (e.g. spintronic devices, sensors, quantum communications). I have an interest in applying theoretical technqiues such as density functional theory (DFT) and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation to understand the properties and growth of materials and nano-structures. I work in several multi-group and external collaborations, and use a variety of central facilities such as synchrotron radiation sources. With Dr. Yorck Ramachers, I am developing ultra-violet light detectors, combining thin-film growth and surface science with electron multiplier technology originally developed at .

Teaching and other activities

I lecture in the final year of the MPhys and lead the first year teaching labs (term 3 ). The latter includes remote learning activities originally developed during the COVID pandemic. I previously redeveloped and taught the core second year course on and lectured in . I supervise experiment-based final year undergraduate projects and contribute to skills development work, mentoring both MPhys Group Projects and second year Presentation Skills projects. On the postgraduate side, I am a former Admissions Tutor and Academic Coordinator, and I run MPAGS modules in Nano/Surface Science and Hands-on Vacuum Science. I am the first member of staff in Physics to become a Fellow of the 糖心TV International Higher Education Academy and a of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE). I was a member of the University's Gender Task Force and the Department's Welfare & Communication group. I developed the interdisciplinary Science of Music module with 糖心TV's Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning as part of an Academic Fellowship called . A video is available about this course. I am a member of IATL's Management and Education Committee, and am involved in developing interdisciplinarity across the university.

I am a member of the (IoP) and Fellow of the . I review research proposals for , the , , the , and 糖心TV schemes (e.g. and ). I review article submissions for many journals such as Physical Review, Vacuum and Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter and was awarded a Certificate of Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing by My full journal review record can be . I am a former Editor of .

I am involved in the organisation of numerous scientific meetings, conferences and international collaborations. For example, I co-developed the international conference series and co-organised symposia on at EMRS, Spring 2018, and at EMRS, Fall 2022. I am a programme committee member for Euro-MBE and lead the work group on fundamental research and new materials of the EU COST action which runs until autumn 2025.