Stephen Schaefer is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in growth of ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Materials of interest include gallium oxide and novel ternary nitrides. He joined NREL in August 2022. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Arizona State University, where he earned his doctorate in electrical engineering in December 2020. His graduate research focused on MBE growth and characterization of III-V-bismide alloys. Before his graduate studies he worked in industry specializing in analog/mixed-signal circuit design and control systems.

Research Interests

Molecular beam epitaxy

Ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors

Ternary nitride semiconductors

III-V semiconductors

II-VI semiconductors

Power conversion electronics

Education

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University

M.S., Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University

B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Arizona

Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Scholar, School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University (2020–2022)

Graduate Research Associate, School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University (2016–2020)

Electrical Engineer, Sargent Aerospace & Defense (2014–2016)

Electrical Engineer, General Plasma, Inc. (2013–2014) 

Patents

Kinetic Model for Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth of III-V Alloys, U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63/126,229 (2020)

Devices, Systems, and Methods Utilizing an Improved Optical Absorption Model for Direct-Gap Semiconductors, U.S. Patent No. 16/999,975 (2020)

Devices, Systems, and Methods Utilizing an Improved Optical Absorption Model for Direct-Gap Semiconductors, U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/890,324 (2019)

Awards and Honors

Pamela and Jack Saltich Fellowship (2020–2021)

Barrett Electronic Materials Fellowship (2020–2021)

ARCS Foundation Scholar Award (2018–2020)

Best Student Talk Award, Mid-Infrared: Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Conference (2018)

Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton Dean’s Fellowship (2016–2020)

Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton Scholarship (2016)

Summa cum laude, University of Arizona (2013)

Dean’s List (all semesters), University of Arizona College of Engineering (2009–2013)

National Merit Scholarship Finalist (2009–2013)

AP Scholar with distinction (2009)