Dr. Richard Pilkington

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Photo of Dr. Richard Pilkington

Contact Details

Newton Building Room 166

Please email for an appointment.

Current positions

Senior Lecturer

Biography

  • 1978   BSc Physics/Chemistry, University of Salford
  • 1985   PhD University of Salford
  • 1982   Research Fellow, Dept of Chemistry
  • 1984   Research Fellow, Dept. of Chemistry (University of Strathclyde)
  • 1985   Research Fellow, Dept. of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • 1987   Senior Teaching Company Assistant, Plessey
  • 1990   Research Fellow, Dept. of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • 1992   Lecturer, Dept. of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • 1996   Lecturer, Dept. of Physics
  • 1998   Senior Lecturer, Joule Physics Laboratory

Areas of research

Materials, Vacuum, Thin Films, Nanoparticles, Laser Ablation

Teaching

  • Electronics & Optoelectronics
  • Electronics Laboratory
  • 2nd Year Physics Laboratory
  • Frontiers of Physics
  • Computer Interfacing
  • Final Year Project Coordinator

Research Interests

The production of thin films of novel materials such as ternary and quaternary semiconductors e.g. Copper Indium/Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) with controlled properties. This work includes research into novel magnetron sputtering methods.

The interaction of laser radiation with various materials including carbon fibre composites stainless steel etc. Research concentrates on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). This is a fundamental experimental study to develop a new theoretical model to describe transient plasma events; replacing the existing stable plasma model. The feasibility of using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the characterisation of bone, archaeological samples etc.