Prof. Enda McGlynn

My general area of research is in the growth and study of semiconductor materials. In the early part of my career I focussed on the study of the optical properties of defects in silicon. More recently I have worked on the growth and study of wide bandgap materials and nanostructures using optical spectroscopy and other characterisation techniques.

Specifically my main current area of research is the growth and characterisation of nanostructured semiconductor materials, especially nanostructured metal oxide materials. My recent work has been particularly focused on the wide bandgap material, ZnO, and its nanostructures. This work has concentrated on the understanding of how these nanostructures grow, what determines their crystalline structure and morphological properties and also how they interact with light on both long and short (femto-second) timescales.

I am a founder member of National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology (NCPST).

My philosophy of teaching is to introduce students to new areas of knowledge, to develop their fundamental understanding and appreciation and to enable them to apply knowledge beyond the parameters of its original introduction.

I believe in the importance of engendering passion in the students for the subject being taught. In physics teaching, I emphasise the links between the module material I teach and the material taught in other modules.

To achieve these goals, I keep my own knowledge up-to-date and am well prepared with accurate and accessible lecture, tutorial and laboratory/project materials. I strive to present this material very clearly and use demonstrations, audio-visual methods, loop and computer software.

I adapt my teaching style in a dynamic manner according to the needs and abilities of different classes.