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College of Science and Engineering Department of Physics
Texas State College of Science and Engineering Department of Physics Mark Holtz, Ph.D.

Mark Holtz, Ph.D.

Mark HoltzProfessor and Chair, 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)

 

 

Optical Properties of Semiconductors—

Fundamental Physics to Applied Materials Research

Welcome to the Holtz Laboratory website! Our optics research group at Texas State University focuses on understanding fundamental and applied properties of semiconductors. Of particular interest are the III-nitride and II-VI semiconductors, which have diverse applications including high-power transistors, light-emitting and laser diodes, photovoltaics, and photodetectors. We study the underlying physics transforming one form of energy to another. 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: Google Scholar web page

Mark Holtz is an experimental physicist working in nanoscale materials, particularly on questions relating to group III-nitride and II-VI semiconductors, diamond, device self-heating, and thermal properties.

Dr. Holtz has published over 190 peer-reviewed articles. He has received external funding on grants and contracts from federal, state, and private agencies. He has advised and co-advised twelve PhD graduates, over 50 MS students, and postdoctoral researchers, all of whom are working in industry or academia.

Other Affiliations:

Texas State University (2013-present University Chair Professor of MSEC)

Texas Tech University (1991-2013 professor)

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)

For more information and publication list please visit my Google Scholar web page.