Tony Sergeant

Research Achievements

17 refereed papers, 1 book chapter, 3 invited international seminars, 15 conference presentations, 1 conference organizing committee.

Summary of research experience: study into low energy spin polarised electrons scattering from various surfaces in singles (EELS) and coincidence (e,2e) modes. Single crystal tungsten allowed studies into spin-orbit processes. Thin ferromagnetic materials (Fe, Ni, Co) were deposited at varying thicknesses from 1 monolayer to over 50 monolayers for the study of electron exchange interactions. The unique ability of this technique to separate spin-orbit and exchange interactions allowed the observation of spin-orbit coupling between the tungsten substrate and thin iron and cobalt films.

Additional studies into positron interactions with surfaces and near surface features. This project explored the application of low every positrons to act as unique markers in a surface. Work at the Univeristy of Texas at Arlington provided the first observation of surface state sticking and provided unique insight into the interactions of antimatter and matter.

Industry based project focused on surface chemistry analysis of gold adsorption onto carbonaceous materials in gold ores and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Particle induced x-ray emission, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were compared and contrasted to study the distribution of trace concentrations of gold in ore samples, both before and after exposure to a synthetically loaded Au(CN)^2- solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to study the chemical nature of adsorbed gold on carbonaceous ore materials and HOPG.

Experience in a wide range of surface characterisation techniques including: Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), X-ray Electron Spectroscopy (XPS), Total Current Spectroscopy (TCS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS), Proton Excited X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIXE).