Frank Tsui

Frank Tsui is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic epitaxial films and heterostructures using combinatorial Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). His work explores novel materials such as Heusler alloys, magnetic semiconductors, and superconductors, emphasizing atomic-scale control and structural properties. Key techniques include synchrotron X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, and magnetooptical studies.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.S. in Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.Eng. in Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University
• B.S. in Engineering Physics, University of California, Berkeley

Research Interests: Combinatorial MBE, epitaxial growth mechanisms, chemical ordering in alloys, nanoscale materials characterization, and device applications. Recent studies emphasize structural phase diagrams of Co-Mn-Ge systems and strain effects in magnetic semiconductors.

Publications: Tsui’s work spans over 150 publications, with recent trends in Heusler alloy superlattices, anomalous diffraction techniques, and nanomaterials. Notable contributions include the development of the MEAD technique for lattice-site analysis and the study of valence tautomer crystals.

Awards:

• Margaret and Herman Sokol Postdoctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan)
• Recipient of NSF, DOE, and Army Research Office funding
• Lab recognized for training students in cutting-edge techniques (e.g., Brian Collins’ Dissertation Completion Fellowship)

Advising & Grants: Advised over 10 graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have pursued academic and industry roles. Collaborates with institutions like Argonne National Laboratory and the National Institute for Materials Science (Japan). Active in shared facilities like the Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory (CHANL).

Labs & Teams: Tsui Lab at Chapman Hall houses advanced MBE systems, UHV magnet cryostats, and SPM/STM setups. Collaborates with groups in materials science, chemistry, and engineering to advance combinatorial materials research.