About Us > Faculty & Staff > Faculty > Vincent LaBella

Degrees:

• Ph.D., Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1998)
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rutgers University (1993)
• B.A. Physics, Rutgers University (1993)

Contact: vlabella@uamail.albany.edu

Areas of research:

• Spintronics
• Surface science
• Compound semiconductor crystal growth

Research website: http://www.albany.edu/spin/

Description of research:

A major area of focus for Professor LaBella is the emerging field of spintronics. Semiconductor devices which utilize the spin of the electron (spintronic devices), have the potential to achieve higher speeds with lower power consumption than conventional devices. To realize this potential advances in our fundamental understanding of spin polarized electron transport through materials and material interfaces is needed. His current research is focused on measuring spin relaxation and spin injection in graphene utilizing electric spin injection, spin precession, and non-local spin detection.

He has another research effort that investigates hot electron scattering and transport through materials and material interfaces utilizing a scanning tunneling microscopy technique called ballistic electron emission microscopy. This has impact in measuring carrier attenuation and electrostatic interface barrier heights for future interconnects and hot electron devices such as photovoltaics.

He has a combined UHV materials deposition system for metals, semiconductors, and oxides in situ with a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope. In addition his group has a vibrating sample magnetometer and custom designed cryostat for magneto transport measurements. 

Recent Publications:

Studies of Al₂O₃ Barriers for Use in Tunnel Junctions For NonLocal Spin Detection Experiments
J. Abel, J. J. Garramone, I. L. Sitnitsky, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 28 702 (2010)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.3386589

Hot-Electron Transport Studies of the Ag/Si(001) Interface Using Ballistic Electron Emission Microscopy
J. J. Garramone, J. R. Abel, I. L. Sitnitsky, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 28 643 (2010)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.3397795

Measurement of the Hot Electron Attenuation Length of Copper
J. J. Garramone, J. R. Abel, I. L. Sitnitsky, L. Zhao, I. Appelbaum, V. P. LaBella
Applied Physics Letters 96 062105 (2010)
(full text and abstract) doi: doi:10.1063/1.3299712

Hot Electron Transport Studies of the Cu/Si(001) Interface Using Ballistic Electron Emission Microscopy
J. J. Garramone, J. R. Abel, I. L. Sitnitsky, R. L. Moore, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 27 2044 (2009)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.3136761

Above Room Temperature Ferromagnetic Silicon
Vincent LaBella, Mengbing Huang, Martin Bolduc, Chaffra Awo-Affouda
United States Patent No. 7405086, Issued Aug 29, 2008.

Effect of interface band structure on hot-electron attenuation lengths in Au thin films
A. J. Stollenwerk, E. J. Spadafora, J. J. Garramone, R. J. Matyi, R. L. Moore, V. P. LaBella
Physical Review B 77 033416 (2008)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.77.033416

Measuring Spin Dependent Hot Electron Transport Through a Metal-Semiconductor Interface Using Spin-Polarized Ballistic Electron Emission Microscopy
A. J. Stollenwerk, M. R. Krause, J. J. Garramone, E. J. Spadafora, V. P. LaBella
Physical Review B 76 195311 (2007)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.76.195311

Measurement of the clustering energy for manganese silicide islands on Si(001) by Ostwald Ripening
M. R. Krause, A. J. Stollenwerk, M. Licurse, V. P. LaBella
Applied Physics Letters 91 041903 (2007)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1063/1.2766681

Implantation Damage Study in Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si
C. Awo-Affouda, M. Bolduc, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 25 976 (2007)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2713117

Electronic structure changes of Si(001) (2×1) from subsurface Mn observed by STM
M. R. Krause, A. J. Stollenwerk, J. Reed, V. P. LaBella, M. Hortamani, P. Kratzer, M. Scheffler
Physical Review B 75 205326 (2007)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.205326

Atmospheric oxygen in Mn doped GaAs/GaAs(0 0 1) thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
J.F. Xu, P.M. Thibado, C. Awo-Affouda, R. Moore, V.P. LaBella
Journal of Crystal Growth 301-302 54 (2007)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2006.11.234

Probing the hot electron transport properties and interface band structure of Fe/Si(001) and Fe₈₁C₁₉/Si(001) Schottky diodes
A. J. Stollenwerk, M. R. Krause, D. H. Idell, R. Moore, V. P. LaBella
Physical Review B 74 155328 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.74.155328

Ballistic electron transport properties of Fe-based films on Si(001)
A. J. Stollenwerk, M. R. Krause, D. H. Idell, R. Moore, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 24 2009 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2213264

Annealing Temperature Effects on the Structure of Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si
M. Bolduc, C. Awo-Affouda, M. B. Huang, F. Ramos, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 24 1648 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2194921

Observation of Crystallite Formation in Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si
C. Awo-Affouda, M. Bolduc, M. B. Huang, F. Ramos, K. A. Dunn, B. Thiel, G. Agnello, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 24 1644 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2189265

Hot Electron Transport Across Manganese Silicide Layers on the Si(001) Surface
A. Stollenwerk, M. Krause, R. Moore, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 24 1610 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2206195

Ostwald ripening of manganese silicide islands on Si(001)
M. R. Krause, A. Stollenwerk, M. Licurse, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 24 1480 (2006)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.2167070

Redistribution of Mn upon Annealing in Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si
M. Bolduc, C. Awo-Affouda, M. B. Huang, F. Ramos, V. P. LaBella
Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings 908e 3 (2006)

INVITED: Arsenic-Rich GaAs(001) Surface Structure
Vincent LaBella, Michael Krause, Zhao Ding, Paul M. Thibado
Surface Science Reports 60 1 (2005)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/j.surfrep.2005.10.001

Investigation of the Structural Properties of Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si
M. Bolduc, C. Awo-Affouda, A. Stollenwerk, M. B. Huang, F. Ramos, V. P. LaBella
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research; Section B 242 367 (2005)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/j.nimb.2005.08.132

Combined molecular beam epitaxy low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy system: enabling atomic scale characterization of semiconductor surfaces and interfaces
M. Krause, A. Stollenwerk, C. Awo-Affouda, B. Maclean, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 23 1684 (2005)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.1941167

Above room temperature ferromagnetism in Mn-ion implanted Si
M. Bolduc, C. Awo-Affouda, A. Stollenwerk, M. B. Huang, F. G. Ramos, G. Agnello, V. P. LaBella
Physical Review B 71 033302 (2005)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.71.033302

Magnetic and Structural Properties of Mn-implanted Si
M. Bolduc, C. Awo-Affouda, A. Stollenwerk, M. B. Huang, F. Ramos, G. Agnello, V. P. LaBella
Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings 853E 4 (2005)

Electron-beam evaporated cobalt films on molecular beam epitaxy prepared GaAs(001)
Z. Ding, P. M. Thibado, C. Awo-Affouda, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 22 2068 (2004)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.1771674

Time-evolution of the GaAs(001) pre-roughening process
Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, P. M. Thibado, V. P. LaBella, K. Mullen
Surface Science 540 491 (2003)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/S0039-6028(03)00916-6

Tool and method for in situ vapor phase deposition source material reloading and maintenance
Paul M. Thibado, Vincent P. LaBella, Daniel W. Bullock
United States Patent No. 6551405, Issued May 23, 2003.

Atomic-Scale Observation of Temperature and Pressure Driven Preroughening and Roughening
Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, P. M. Thibado, V. P. LaBella, K. Mullen
Physical Review Letters 90 216109 (2003)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.216109

Role of aperiodic surface defects on the intensity of electron diffraction spots
D. W. Bullock, Z. Ding, P. M. Thibado, V. P. LaBella
Applied Physics Letters 82 2586 (2003)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1063/1.1568161

Dynamics of spontaneous roughening on the GaAs(001)-(2×4) surface
Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, W. F. Oliver, P. M. Thibado, V. P. LaBella
Journal of Crystal Growth 251 35 (2003)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/S0022-0248(02)02272-8

Simultaneous surface topography and spin-injection probability
D. W. Bullock, V. P. LaBella, Z. Ding, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 21 67 (2003)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.1532022

Mapping the spin-injection probability on the atomic scale
D. W. Bullock, V. P. LaBella, Z. Ding, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Superconductivity 15 37 (2002)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1023/A:1014023126179

Enhancing the Student-Instructor Interaction Frequency
D. W. Bullock, V. P. LaBella, T. Clingan, Z. Ding, G. Stewart, P.M. Thibado
The Physics Teacher 40 535 (2002)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1119/1.1534821

Microscopic structure of spontaneously formed islands on the GaAs(001)-(2×4) reconstructed surface
V. P. LaBella, Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, C. Emery, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 19 1640 (2001)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.1386376

Spatially resolved spin-injection probability for gallium arsenide
V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, Z. Ding, C. Emery, A. Venkatesan, W. F. Oliver, G. J. Salamo, P. M. Thibado, M. Mortazavi
Science 292 1518 (2001)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1126/science.292.5521.1518

Enabling electron diffraction as a tool for determining substrate temperature and surface morphology
V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, C. Emery, Z. Ding, P. M. Thibado
Applied Physics Letters 79 3065 (2001)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1063/1.1416477

INVITED: A union of the real-space and reciprocal-space view of the GaAs(001) surface
V. P. LaBella, Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, C. Emery, P. M. Thibado
International Journal of Modern Physics B 15 2301 (2001)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1142/S0217979201005647

Microscopic view of a two-dimensional lattice-gas Ising system within the grand canonical ensemble
V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, M. Anser, Z. Ding, C. Emery, L. Bellaiche, P. M. Thibado
Physical Review Letters 84 4152 (2000)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.4152

A Novel STM Imaging Mechanism is Used to Determine the Atomic Structure of the GaAs(001)-(2×4) Surface
V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, P. M. Thibado, P. Kratzer, M. Scheffler
Omicron Newsletter 4 4 (2000)

Monte Carlo derived diffusion parameters for Ga on the GaAs(001)- (2×4) surface: A molecular beam epitaxy-scanning tunneling microscopy study
V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, Z. Ding, C. Emery, W. G. Harter, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 18 1526 (2000)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.582379

Reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy study of InP(001) surface reconstructions
V. P. LaBella, Z. Ding, D. W. Bullock, C. Emery, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 18 1492 (2000)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.582373

Atomic structure of the GaAs(001)-(2×4) surface resolved using scanning tunneling microscopy and first-principles theory
V. P. LaBella, H. Yang, D. W. Bullock, P. M. Thibado, P. Kratzer, M. Scheffler
Physical Review Letters 83 2989 (1999)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.2989

Role of As₄ in Ga diffusion on the GaAs(001)-(2×4) surface: A molecular beam epitaxy-scanning tunneling microscopy study
H. Yang, V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 17 1778 (1999)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.590825

Activation energy for Ga diffusion on the GaAs(001)-(2×4) surface: an MBE-STM study
H. Yang, V. P. LaBella, D. W. Bullock, Z. Ding, J. B. Smathers, P. M. Thibado
Journal of Crystal Growth 201-202 88 (1999)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/S0022-0248(98)01296-2

Measurements of epitaxially grown Pt/CaF₂/Si(111) structures by ballistic electron emission microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy
V. P. LaBella, Y. Shusterman, L. J. Schowalter, C. A. Ventrice, Jr.
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 16 1692 (1998)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.581286

Ballistic electron emission microscopy measurements of epitaxially grown Pt/CaF₂/Si(111) structures
V. P. LaBella, C. A. Ventrice, Jr., L. J. Schowalter
Applied Surface Science 123-124 213 (1998)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/S0169-4332(97)00543-6

Scanning tunneling microscope and ballistic electron emission spectroscopy studies of molecular beam epitaxially grown Pt/CaF₂/Si(111) structures
V. P. LaBella, L. J. Schowalter, C. A. Ventrice, Jr.
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 15 1191 (1997)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.589437

Design of a scanning tunneling microscope for in situ topographic and spectroscopic measurements within a commercial molecular beam epitaxy machine
C. A. Ventrice, Jr., V. P. LaBella, L. J. Schowalter
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A 15 830 (1997)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1116/1.580716

The Effect of Strain Relaxation Mechanisms on the Electrical Properties of Epitaxial CaF₂/Si(111) Heterostructures
L.J. Schowalter, B.M. Kim, T.G. Thundat, Carl A. Ventrice, Jr., V.P. LaBella
Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings 466 21 (1997)

Hot-electron scattering at Au/Si(100) Schottky interfaces measured by temperature dependent ballistic electron emission microscopy
C. A. Ventrice, Jr., V. P. LaBella, G. Ramaswamy, H. -P. Yu, L. J. Schowalter
Applied Surface Science 104-105 274 (1996)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1016/S0169-4332(96)00215-2

Measurement of hot-electron scattering processes at Au/Si(100) Schottky interfaces by temperature-dependent ballistic-electron-emission microscopy
C. A. Ventrice, Jr., V. P. LaBella, G. Ramaswamy, H. -P. Yu, L. J. Schowalter
Physical Review B 53 3952 (1996)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.53.3952

Anomalous attenuation of spin-entropy waves in superfluid ³He-A₁
M. Bastea, Y. Okuda, V. LaBella, H. Kojima
Physical Review Letters 73 1126 (1994)
(full text and abstract) doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.1126