Dr. Nicholas A. Pike

Research Scientist


Curriculum vitae


Air Force Research Laboratory



Computational Design of Optical and Ferroelectric Materials


Computational Design of Optical and Ferroelectric Materials

A core focus of my research is the computational investigation of materials with exceptional optical and ferroelectric properties. By using first-principles modeling, I can predict and understand how a material's atomic structure gives rise to its function, guiding the experimental design of next-generation technologies for data communication, storage, and energy-efficient electronics.

My work in nonlinear optics involves materials that interact with light in unique, intensity-dependent ways. I have performed a detailed computational analysis of the second-order nonlinear optical properties of monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). This research extends to more complex structures, such as Janus metal dichalcogenide monolayers, where I have investigated the angular dependence of their nonlinear optical response. To support this research, I have also contributed directly to the development of the renowned first-principles code ABINIT, specifically enhancing its capabilities for analyzing nonlinear optical properties. My research in this area also includes analyzing the optical response of bulk materials like ZnSe containing d-orbital defects.

In the field of ferroelectrics, my current research aims to provide a fundamental, first-principles understanding of the structure and polarization in emerging nitride systems. This work, currently in preparation, focuses on promising materials such as AlScN, ScGaN, and AlScGaN, which are critical for developing advanced sensors, actuators, and memory devices.

Publications


Understanding the Structure and Polarization in Ferroelectric AlScN, ScGaN, and AlScGaN from First Principles Calculations


Nicholas A. Pike, Ruth Pachter, William J. Kennedy, Nicholas Glavin

Physical Review B, xxx, 2025


Angular Dependence of the Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Response in Janus Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers


Nicholas A. Pike, Ruth Pachter

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 126, 2022, pp. 16243-16252


Computational analysis of the optical response of ZnSe with d-orbital defects


Nicholas A. Pike, Ruth Pachter, Alan D Martinez, Gary Cook

Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, vol. 34, IOP Publishing, 2022 Mar, p. 205402


Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Monolayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides by Computational Analysis


Nicholas A. Pike, Ruth Pachter

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 125(20), 2021, pp. 11075-11084


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