Kevin Prior

Kevin Prior is an experienced professional with over thirty years specializing in the growth of semiconductor thin films by molecular beam epitaxy. Over the last two decades, his focus has been on new wide bandgap II-VI materials, coupled with the development of structural and electrical assessment methods for these compounds. Currently, Kevin is engaged in projects related to the growth of metastable materials such as MgS, ZnMgSSe, and novel transition metal compounds like MnS and CrS.

Kevin's recent grant will be dedicated to advancing the II-VI epitaxial lift-off (ELO) process and creating demonstrator devices from it. His expertise spans across various areas including Molecular Beam Epitaxy, X-ray characterization of semiconductors, electrical characterization of semiconductors, semiconductor defects, thermodynamics of crystal growth, wide bandgap II-VI semiconductors like ZnSe, ZnCdSe, ZnMgSSe, and metastable semiconductors such as MgS, MnS, MnCrS, and CrSe. He also has experience in transition metal chalcogenides.

Kevin holds a MA in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Physical Chemistry, both from the University of Cambridge. Throughout his career, Kevin has held positions at various prestigious organizations, such as Heriot-Watt University where he served as an Honorary Associate Professor, Associate Professor in Physics, Senior Lecturer, and Lecturer. Prior to his academic roles, Kevin worked as an Executive Engineer at British Telecom and started his research journey as a Research Assistant at the University of Cambridge.