Mark Holtz, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Physics
University Chair, Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization
Ph.D. Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia (1987)
BS Physics, Bradley University, Peoria Illinois (1980)
Fundamental Physics to Applied Materials Research
Welcome to the Holtz Laboratory website! Our research group at Texas State University focuses on understanding fundamental and applied properties of semiconductors. Of particular interest are wide bandgap III-nitride and diamond. We use our optics knowledge to carry out applied materials research for device design and processing issues, such as mitigating self-heating in high-power electronics and photonics. A promising approach to improving the thermal properties of power electronics is integration with diamond. In our laboratories, we grow diamond using chemical vapor deposition and examine its physical properties with particular interest in the growth initiation regime. Ultimately, understanding heat transfer and what influences it will lead to improvements in device operation.
Biosketch:
Mark Holtz is an experimental physicist working in nanoscale materials, particularly on questions relating to group III-nitride semiconductors, diamond, device self-heating, and thermal properties.
Dr. Holtz has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles supported by grants and contracts from federal, state, and private agencies. He has advised and co-advised thirteen PhD graduates, over 50 MS students, and postdoctoral researchers, all of whom are working in industry or academia.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9524-964X
Other Affiliations:
Texas State University (2013-present)
Texas Tech University (1991-2013 Professor of Physics)
Army Research Laboratory (2010 sabbatical)
Max Planck Institut FKF (1987-1989 postdoc)
Michigan State University (1989-1991 visiting scholar)
Texas Instruments (1998 sabbatical)
Intel (1997 summer)