Alexander Potts
Ahlers Research Fellow at UC Santa Barbara
Advancing Technology from its Scientific Roots
I am an experimental physics Ph.D. student the University of California, Santa Barbara.  My research interests dominantly lie in quantum transport and terahertz/mm-wave excitations of 2D quantum materials, primarily graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. My unique and extensive academic and industrial background in electrical engineering, microwave and terahertz electromagnetics, and solid state electronic devices allows to me push the capabilities of modern measurements into the next age. 

I am also a development engineer at Lake Shore Cryotronics. I seek to develop and use new techniques and technologies to both simplify and further scientific endeavors at the global scale. I am interested in mixing raw physics and engineering with modern electronic instruments to turn standalone tools into platforms for probing cutting-edge physics. 

My personal website: http://web.physics.ucsb.edu/~ampotts/
UC Santa Barbara
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsantabarbara
Ahlers Research Fellow
Advisor: Andrea Young
I study graphene and 2D transition metal dichalcogenide physics at the picosecond time scale using custom, state-of-the-art terahertz and mm wave instrumentation. My interests are in..

(1) Quantum transport, incl. strongly-interacting systems, fractional quantum Hall and fractional Chern insulating states in graphene, and terahertz carrier dynamics in hydrodynamics graphene
(2) Twisted bilayer graphene physics
(3) THz and mm wave scale physics and instrumentation
(4) Topologically non-trivial physics
Santa Barbara, California Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C510BAQHEZRcLGw73jQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519857180481?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=t4oVAf2n3HbcejI_whyz2geqtvKGUTvkAH8o2Ytqqdg
Lake Shore Cryotronics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lake-shore-cryotronics
Development Engineer
As an analog/RF engineer, I work to develop microwave and analog measurement technologies for the purpose of characterizing novel solid state devices. Project work includes...

(1) Quasi-analytic and numerical broadband microwave and mm-wave design
(2) Wideband semiconductor (GaN and Ga2O3) device characterization
(3) Research of novel thermometric techniques and technologies
Columbus, OH
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQFbo5ButuD2Ag/company-logo_100_100/0/1642702725399?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=z6VL63jjQN3127YDstoikMMuH2rKYyHmK8yscMiiBoY
Lake Shore Cryotronics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lake-shore-cryotronics
Applications Engineering Intern
Columbus, OH
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQFbo5ButuD2Ag/company-logo_100_100/0/1642702725399?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=z6VL63jjQN3127YDstoikMMuH2rKYyHmK8yscMiiBoY
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ohio-state-university
Research Assistant
Columbus, OH
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ohio-state-university
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Columbus, OH
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
ViaSat Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/viasat
Hardware Engineering Intern
Cleveland, OH
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQFPl6ySOS2Z8Q/company-logo_100_100/0/1534885395845?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=oq4SNqjbw47ZwG-oYX5AwQFsTyjzAHtTAtvIlWWwdDo
Annual Westerville Tennis Camp
Assistant Tennis Coach
Westerville South High School
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
UC Santa Barbara
https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucsantabarbara/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C510BAQHEZRcLGw73jQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519857180481?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=t4oVAf2n3HbcejI_whyz2geqtvKGUTvkAH8o2Ytqqdg
Master’s Degree
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-ohio-state-university/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
Bachelor’s Degree
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-ohio-state-university/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
Bachelor's Degree
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-ohio-state-university/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
2 GHz Klopfenstein Taper
We designed, assembled, and tested a 20-section approximate microstrip Klopfenstein taper on RT Duroid 5580 substrate. A Klopfenstein taper, the limit of an infinite-order Chebyshev transformer, was designed to be the optimal broadband matching circuit element for 1.5 - 2.0 GHz. The taper was designed by hand, simulated in ADS, fabricated, and tested. Our analysis extended beyond basic microwave measurements to residual error calculation and accurate measurements of the load impedance. Such analysis accurately predicted the load impedance within 2 mOhms, via three independent measurements.
Dual-Band PIFA Design
Planar Inverted-F Antennas (PIFAs), commonly used in cell phones, can be adapted to work at two bands by careful geometric consideration. A PIFA from literature was modified, modeled, and simulated in FEKO using the method of moments. We produce 3 dB bandwidths of 613 MHz and 892 MHz around center frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz respectively and show that the design may be adapted to a smartphone-sized ground plane.
Narrowband Max Gain 2GHz pHEMT Amplifier
We design and measure an unconditionally stable 2 GHz pHEMT amplifier with microstrip transmission lines on an RT Duriod 5880 substrate. The amplifier was simulated in ADS, both with simple lumped circuit and finite element analysis. Simple microwave measurements reveal a gain of 17.7 dB and input reflection coefficient of -11.6 dB, surpassing our goals.
Magnetic FORC Analysis Software
Pairing magnetic hysteresis First Order Reversal Curves (FORCs) and the Preisach Model of hysteresis can be used to determine a sample's "magnetic signature" and study magnetic structure at the domain level. Processing a data to create a FORC diagram is numerically complicated and can be done in any number of styles. I developed FORC software in Python with previously undeveloped curve-fitting capabilities and verified its operation for a number of samples.
Patch Antenna Design and Optimization
Patch antennas represent one solution to the demand for transmitters for mobile communications. We analyze and optimize the geometry of a patch produce a maximum gain, maximum bandwidth, and minimum VSWR at 1800 MHz. Hand calculations and simulation show our optimized parameters produce a gain of 9.86 dB, bandwidth of 49 MHz, and VSWR of 1.07 at the resonant frequency.
RF Disc Golf Tracker
We engineered, built, and rigorously tested an RF disc golf tracking system as a senior capstone project. Our final product: a smartphone-controlled, lightweight (17g) module that fits under common disc golf discs that allows users to track lost discs at distances up to 65 feet in open fields. The device minimally perturbs the disc's flight path and can survive impacts of 60 mph with no decrease in performance.
Analysis of Ducting Effects in Ship-Based Radar
We analyze the effects of atmospheric ducts on wave propagation over the sea. Atmospheric ducts greatly extend the radio horizon in parts of the X and S bands. Propagation through over-sea ducts depends strongly on chosen wave polarization, the atmosphere's humidity gradient, and sea roughness (among other parameters). Atmospheric ducts allow for useful ship-ship communications, but may present hazards to covert ship-satellite communications.
Electrical Metrological Standard of the Quantum Hall Effect
I analyze the metrological revolution spurred by the Quantum Hall Effect. The Classical Hall Effect describes the development of an electrical potential in a direction orthogonal to both applied electric and magnetic fields. Landau quantization and the formation of Landau levels leads to the quantum mechanical analogue: the (integer) Quantum Hall Effect. Quantized conductivity allows for metrologists to define conductivity (resitivity) in terms of fundamental units. The Quantum Hall Effect completes the metrological triangle, giving rise to "perfectly invariant" electrical standards.
ASIC Validation
My responsibilities included controlling the operation of a high-speed RF modem, preparing a GUI for automated testing, and validating hardware functionality.
FEH Autonomous Robot Design
FEH (Ohio State's honors 1st year engineering track) prepared a list of tasks to completed by an autonomous robot in two minutes. Engineering teams were given a microcontroller, machine shop access, and 10 weeks to deliver a functioning autonomous robotic device. I was responsible for writing and validating software, interfacing with electronic sensors, and testing the robot's functionality.
Science and Technology
Lake Shore Cryotronics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lake-shore-cryotronics
Quantum Mechanics Teacher
Despite working extensively with superconducting magnets, many systems engineers have had little exposure to the deep theoretical underpinnings of quantum physics. I voluntarily delivered presentations and practice problems covering basic topics in quantum mechanics. We covered mathematical, physical and historical backgrounds leading to the advent of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century. We then studied the postulates and their implications for spin 1/2 systems before introducing the basics of position space and quantum wells.

My presentations and practice problem sets are available upon request.
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Education
The Ohio State University
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ohio-state-university
Engineering Ambassador
Most high schools in the Columbus metropolitan area have few ways to connect their students with the basic principles and excitement of engineering. Engineering ambassadors are advanced university students who volunteer to bridge this gap by presenting their work, their experiences, and their passion for engineering to upperclassmen in high school. I presented a simple circuit and oscilloscope to show the students the real digital signal being used by TV remotes to approximately 200 students.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEw433uw5btkQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856416206?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5_Zp6Buewk3EnEAee3La568ZjqysYb7Wv_iXUXm2KzI
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-phillips-507b23204
Deanna Phillips
Manufacturing Engineer
Plain City, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caynj
Cayn Jennice
Mechanical Engineering Supervisor at ATS Automation
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-powers-3a1773165
Michael Powers
Distribution Engineering Operations Supervisor at TRC Companies, Inc.
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hoy-234a2637
Daniel Hoy
Research And Development Engineer at Lake Shore Cryotronics
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-floyd-66662211
Rachael Floyd
Product Manager at Lake Shore Cryotronics
Woburn, MA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-hartman-16564b139
Nicole Hartman
Particle physicist working on the ATLAS experiment at CERN
Palo Alto, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-heisler-taylor-41502428
Tyler Heisler-Taylor
Graduate Student Researcher at OSU BME
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnygreco
Johnny Greco
Sr. Data Scientist | Tech Lead | NLP
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-can-a4823297
Adam Can
Project Manager at RFID Enabled Solutions (RES)
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-canaday
Daniel Canaday
Rising data scientist, developing new solutions to difficult problems.
Alexandria, VA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexleemelendez
Alex Melendez
Graduate Student at The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-norris-2aa63064
James Norris
National Grid
Waterford, NY
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-sung
Samuel Sung
Second Lieutenant at United States Marine Corps and PhD Student at Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering
Philadelphia, PA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-ginier-5623a03b
Mary Ann Ginier
Engineer at Domico Med-Device, LLC
United States
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-ranck-98857797
Brandon Ranck
AV Systems Administrator at Tesla
San Francisco Bay Area
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-schaffer-709b053a
Matthew Schaffer
Senior Project Engineer at Cornerstone Earth Group, Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-hanna-579ba797
Randall Hanna
Senior Staff at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Columbus, OH
https://au.linkedin.com/in/rachael-weaver-9327a6b1
Rachael Weaver
Writer and Researcher
Melbourne, VI
https://www.linkedin.com/in/xian-guo-48a20640
Xian Guo
Lead Engineer - Electric Power Systems at GE Global Research
Albany, New York Metropolitan Area
Alexander Potts
https://au.linkedin.com/in/alexander-potts-9b4a41aa
Innovation - Data Engineer at HUB24 Limited
Sydney, NS
Alexander Potts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-potts-928153146
Vice President, Programmatic - Media Lead at Tombras
Boca Raton, FL
Alex Potts
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/alex-potts-50676448
Associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
United Kingdom
Alexander Potts
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/alexander-potts-5b9439aa
Head of Digital Innovation at Bridge Insurance Brokers Limited
Wilmslow
Alexander Potts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/potts-alexander
Working towards a sustainable tomorrow.
Seattle, WA