Morgan Trassin

Morgan Trassin is a Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Materials, specifically within the Institute of Multifunctional Ferroic Materials. He leads the Nonlinear optics for Epitaxial growth of Advanced Thin films (NEAT) laboratory, focusing on oxide interfaces and epitaxial ferroelectric and multiferroic thin films. His research involves thin multifunctional film growth by pulsed laser deposition and advanced characterization of domain structures.

Prof. Trassin's research interests center on complex oxide thin films and heterostructures, with specific expertise in epitaxial deposition of functional oxide thin films. His work utilizes in-situ diagnostic tools during pulsed laser deposition to advance the design of technologically relevant oxide electronics. He pioneers the investigation of thin films functionalities in-situ during epitaxial synthesis using nonlinear optics monitoring and electron spectroscopy, allowing investigation of the dynamics of functional properties as films grow from the very first unit cell.

His recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding the evolution of physical properties of epitaxial thin films in the ultrathin regime and investigating interface-related phenomena in multilayers. His research spans materials science, physics, and engineering, with applications in memory devices, sensors, and sustainable energy harvesting technologies. His work shows particular strength in combining experimental techniques with theoretical understanding to create novel functional materials.

• 2024 Golden Owl Award (awarded by VSETH, ETH Zurich's students association)

Prof. Trassin has secured multiple research grants including SNF projects 188663 (Single crystal diffuse X-ray scattering methods), 188414 (Multifunctional oxide electronics), and 219319 (Laser-Mediated Wood Surface Engineering). His NEAT laboratory develops in-situ analysis technologies for investigating early-stage ferroelectricity during epitaxial growth and pioneers strategies for functional properties stabilization in the ultrathin regime. Current research focuses on designing unconventional functional interfaces with atomic precision using pulsed laser deposition combined with sputtering capabilities, advanced X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning probe microscopy techniques.