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Dr. Cormac Mc Guinness

Associate Professor (Physics)
SNIAM
      
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Dr. Cormac Mc Guinness

Associate Professor (Physics)
SNIAM

 Cormac.McGuinness@tcd.ie

 3531896 3547


Born in Dublin. Schooled at Oatlands College CBS Stillorgan. Educated in UCD. Obtained Doctorate in UCD. Postdoctoral research in DCU and UCD. Lecturing position in UCD. Postdoctoral research in Boston University. Research Associate Professor in Boston University. Appointed Lecturer in TCD, later obtaining a permanent position. Now an Assistant Professor. Married with two daughters.
  Condensed Matter   Experimental Physics   Magnetism and spin electronics   Molecular electronics   Organic Coatings   PHOTOELECTRON-SPECTROSCOPY   Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering   Solid State Physics   Spectroscopy   Surface and interface physics   Surface Physics   Surface Science   Synchrotron Radiation   Theory and computational physics   Thin Film, Technology and Applications   Vacuum Science   XANES   XPS   X-ray Emission Spectroscopy   X-RAY FLUORESCENCE   X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism   X-RAY PHOTOEMISSION   X-Ray Spectroscopy   X-RAY-ABSORPTION   X-RAY-SCATTERING   ZNO FILMS
Project Title
 Novel element-selective symmetry, polarisation and state resolved investigations of chemical bonding
From
September 2007
To
August 2010
Summary
No topic is more fundamental to Chemistry than the nature of the chemical bond. In crystalline solids, the chemical bond gives rise to the electronic bandstructure of the material, this then determines whether the material is a metal, semiconductor, semi-metal, etc.; it determines the optical characteristics, the transport properties and the usefulness of any given crystalline solid. Novel x-ray spectroscopic techniques are now available to probe the electronic structure of crystalline solids, element-by-element and even state-by-state. These synchrotron radiation based methods will be applied to a particular class of crystalline solids to study more fully their basic electronic structure. The electronic structure of a class of crystalline solids will be investigated through a novel application of polarisation dependent synchrotron radiation based resonant soft x-ray emission spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopies to obtain element specific, symmetry and state selective measurements of the occupied partial density of states or occupied molecular orbitals of these solids. Systematic investigations of the chemical bonding in these rutile systems can thus be carried out and compared to electronic bandstructure calculations. Opportunities then exist to examine the bonding within these systems to alternative transition metals substitutionally doped onto the cation sites in these rutile systems. This project is in collaboration with Prof. Graeme Watson of the School of Chemistry and Prof. Russell Egdell, of the Chemistry Department, University of Oxford.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
Research Frontiers Programme 2007
Project Type
Research Project
Person Months
60
Project Title
 X-ray magnetic dichroism of nanoscale magnetism in atomic wires protected by capping layers
From
September 2007
To
August 2010
Summary
Progress in ICT is driven by making electronic and magnetic devices with ever smaller active regions producing faster, more efficient devices. Single atomic wires of cobalt, possessing unusual magnetic properties, have been successfully grown on single crystal platinum surfaces. To be useful, these nanowires must be capped by ultra-thin films protecting them from contamination. The interfacial region formed by capping these nanoscale magnetic structures can enhance their magnetic properties, as measured by optical laser-interface interactions. These enhanced magnetic properties will be studied by x-ray based magnetic-spectroscopic imaging techniques and will allow for magnetic tuning of devices based on these wires. Atomic wires of cobalt, possessing unusual magnetic properties, have been successfully grown on platinum single crystal surfaces but, to be useful, such nanowires must be capped by ultra-thin films to protect them from contamination. The interfacial region formed by capping will affect the properties of these nanoscale magnetic structures; for certain capping layers and thicknesses enhanced Curie temperatures are expected. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectromicroscopy will be used to probe the magnetisation of these atomic wires on an element and electronic orbital specific basis, to complement and extend new non-linear magneto-optic studies of the same advanced materials. This project is in collaboration with John McGilp of the School of Physics
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
Research Frontiers Programme 2007
Project Type
Research Project
Person Months
60
Project Title
 Synchrotron X-ray Spectroscopic Investigations of Electronic Structure in Organic Semiconductors
From
October 2004
To
October 2007
Summary
Organic molecular semiconductor materials are of increasing technological importance. Ultrathin pure films of organic molecular semiconductors can be created by organic molecular beam deposition. The electronic structure of organic molecular semiconductors is generally studied by photoemission spectroscopy, especially using synchrotron radiation. Additionally, synchrotron based soft x-ray emission spectroscopy and its resonant counterpart provides another powerful investigative tool. It is proposed to combine these two regimes in a multi-technique, multi-theme investigation of the metal-phthalocyanine family of organic semiconductors. The themes include, energetics, beam damage, growth modes and interfacial reaction/interaction. Specific attention is paid to a comparison of electron-emission and photon-absorption/emission methods. This project is in collaborations with Prof. I. T. McGovern of the School of Physics.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
Basic Research Grants 2004
Project Type
Research project
Person Months
80
Project Title
 Soft x-ray spectroscopic investigations of dilute magnetic semiconductors
From
01-05-2006
To
30-04-2007
Summary
Dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) materials for use in functional room temperature magnetic semiconductor devices are being actively developed. Detailed knowledge of their electronic and magnetic structure is urgently needed. This can be obtained through the use of soft x-ray synchrotron radiation based spectroscopic techniques which are especially useful due to their elemental selectivity. The proposal seeks to apply these techniques to a number of DMS materials, specifically transition metal doped semiconductor oxides and nitrides such as Co-doped ZnO, Co-doped SnO2 and Mn-doped GaN and AlN. Thin films of these DMS materials are being grown by pulsed laser deposition. The quality and observed ferromagnetic moments of these films are critically sensitive to growth conditions during deposition, as is the observed electronic structure. In Co-doped ZnO these phenomena, including magnetism, are directly linked to oxygen vacancies. This can be verified by studying their electronic structure by element-specific soft x-ray spectroscopy. Correlation between observed electronic structure, measured magnetic moment & growth conditions will give insight into producing better thin film ferromagnetic semiconductors. Further, the application of these techniques may help address the question of the detailed physical origin of magnetism in these dilute magnetic semiconductors, a matter of some controversy.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
International Collaboration Travel Programme
Project Type
Research Project
Person Months
2
Project Title
 Soft x-ray spectroscopic investigations of transition metal oxide and nitride magnetic semiconductors
From
June 2005
To
April 2006
Summary
Candidate materials for functional room temperature magnetic semiconductor devices are currently being actively developed and detailed knowledge of the electronic and magnetic structure of these candidate materials is needed. This information can be obtained through the use of spectroscopic techniques where synchrotron radiation based techniques are especially useful due to their elemental selectivity. This proposed collaboration seeks to apply these synchrotron radiation based techniques to a number of these materials, specifically transition metal doped semiconductor oxides such as Co-doped ZnO and Co-doped SnO2. Two other materials, HfO2 and CaB6, will also be targeted as thin films of these materials unexpectedly exhibit magnetic behaviour even though nominally they are d0 materials. The techniques applied to investigate these materials will be soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and their resonant counterparts to elucidate the electronic structure. It is anticipated that x-ray magnetic circular dichroism will also be applied to measure the spin and orbital moments of the constituent elements within the materials. Information obtained from such measurements will help confirm theoretical models and also elucidate current questions regarding the roles of dopants and non-magnetic elements in their magnetic behaviour. This project is a collaborative investigation with Prof. K. E. Smith of Boston University.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
International Collaboration Travel Award
Project Type
Research Collaboration
Person Months
2

Page 1 of 2
Details Date
President of the European Synchrotron and Free Electron Laser Users Organisation (ESUO). ESUO represents the interests of >25,000 users of the European based synchrotron and free electron laser facilities. Elected to the President position in October 2021 by a 30-nation, 45+ delegate assembly to head a newly registered international non-profit organisation, which had been in existence since 2010. I am now leading ESUO, and it's Executive Board and General Assembly in helping define with our strategic partner the League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources (LEAPS), the future roadmap for equal participation without geographic barriers for SR and FEL users from across all of Europe. Our mission is to preserve this by lobbying the European Commission and national authorities. My elected term is for a period of 6 years. See: https://www.esuo.eu/ 1/11/2021
Irish national user delegate and representative on the European Synchrotron and FEL Users Organisation (ESUO). A de-facto member of the ESUO Executive Board since 2018 contributing to the writing and re-drafting of the ESUO Business Plan, advising on the transition to a legal non-profit entity, and chairing a working group on the re-definition of ESUO activities, in conjunction with the SR and FEL facilities consortium: the Leagues of Accelerator based Photon Sources (LEAPS). November 2010
Co-Chair and founder of the Irish Synchrotron, Free Electron Laser and Neutron Facility Users Organisation (ISUO) http://www.isuo.ie Active in representing the interests of the ~16 user groups and 70-90 active or regular users of SR, FEL and Neutron large scale facilities. Involved in lobbying to Irish funding agencies and EU Commission on funding access for a level playing field for all European facility users. 2014
A member of the CALIPSOplus projects General Assembly, which project is funded by the European Commission to bring together the European Synchrotron Radiation (SR) and Free Electron Laser (FEL) facilities in joint research activities and networking activities such as trans-national access (TNA) support for scientists to travel to SR/FEL facilities for experiments. The project runs from 2017 to 2021. I was nominated to this position by the ESUO General Assembly. 2017
I had been a member of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS II) Beamline Advisory Team (BAT) to the Soft Inelastic X-ray scattering (SIX) beamline, which was part of the NSLS-II Experimental Tools (NEXT) project. This project funded by the US Department of Energy, represented a $18 million investment that was completed in 2017. I was invited in 2012 to become one of 6 external members of the BAT team for the SIX beamline meeting annually to review design decisions, modelling and implementation up until 2015. 2012
Member of the Institute of Physics in Ireland (IOPI) National Committee as the TCD Physics representative. In this role I was involved with colleagues from other universities and the IOPI policy officer in helping formulate policy positions to take to the Irish government. These concerned membership of international treaty organisations such as the ESO (joined), CERN and ESRF (not a member), as well as lobbying for support for Physics teaching in secondary level schools (equipment and assistants) and commissioning reports on the importance of Physics to the Irish economy. Helped devise and approve public information campaigns such as "Jobs for Physicists".The postgraduate medal for best postgraduate research poster at the annual IOPI spring meeting was named the Rosse medal at my suggestion. Organised each year one of the IOPI seminar speakers on national tour. 2007-2011
A member of the Swiss Light Sources's Proposal Review Committee, part of the Photon Science Division of the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. I chaired the Photoemission and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering committee for two years, of which I was a review member for 9 years. During this time I reviewed more than 530 beamtime proposals for the Swiss Light Source. 2012
Details Date From Date To
President of the European Synchrotron and Free Electron Laser Users Organisation (ESUO). ESUO represents >25,000 users of these facilities across Europe. 1/11/2021 30/10/2027
Principal Irish national delegate to European Synchrotron and FEL User Organisation (http://www.esuo.eu), since 2010. ESUO representative on General Assembly of CALIPSOplus EU project (http://www.calipsoplus.eu) 2010 2021
Member, co-chair and instigator of grass-roots Irish Synchrotron, Free Electron Laser and Neutron Facility Users Organisation (http://www.isuo.ie), active since 2014. 2014 2020
Institute of Physics (M.InstP) July 2006 present
American Physical Society 1/1/2000 31/12/2006
Tyndall D., Jaskaniec S., Shortall B., Roy A., Gannon L., O'Neill K., Browne M.P., Coelho J., McGuinness C., Duesberg G.S., Nicolosi V., Postsynthetic treatment of nickel"iron layered double hydroxides for the optimum catalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction, npj 2D Materials and Applications, 5, (1), 2021, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Abbott, W.M. and Murray, C.P. and Bello, F. and Zhong, C. and Smith, C. and McGuinness, C. and Mamyraimov, D. and Petford-Long, A.K. and McCloskey, D. and Donegan, J.F., Combining Sub-nanometer Adhesion and Capping Layers for Thermally Stable Nanometer-Thick Au Films, ACS Applied Nano Materials, 3, (11), 2020, p10628-10633 , Notes: [cited By 1], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
William M. Abbott, Christopher P. Murray, Sorcha Ní Lochlainn, Frank Bello, Chuan Zhong, Christopher Smith, Eoin K. McCarthy, Clive Downing, Dermot Daly, Amanda K. Petford-Long, Cormac McGuinness, Igor Igorovich Chunin, John F. Donegan, and David McCloskey, Comparison of Metal Adhesion Layers for Au Films in Thermoplasmonic Applications, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 12, (11), 2020, p13503 - 13509, Notes: [Cited by 5], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Abbott, W.M. and Murray, C.P. and Zhong, C. and Smith, C. and McGuinness, C. and Rezvani, E. and Downing, C. and Daly, D. and Petford-Long, A.K. and Bello, F. and McCloskey, D. and Donegan, J.F., Less is more: Improved thermal stability and plasmonic response in Au films via the use of SubNanometer Ti Adhesion Layers, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 11, (7), 2019, p7607-7614 , Notes: [cited By 1], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Doyle, Catherine M. and McGuinness, Cormac and Lawless, Anna P. and Preobrajenski, Alexei B. and Vinogradov, Nikolay A. and Cafolla, Attilio A., Surface Mediated Synthesis of 2D Covalent Organic Networks: 1,3,5-Tris(4-bromophenyl)benzene on Au(111), PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI B-BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, 256, (2, SI), 2019, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Simonov K. A, Generalov A. V, Vinogradov A. S, Svirskiy G. I, Cafolla A. A, McGuinness C, Taketsugu T, Lyalin A, MÃ¥rtensson N, Preobrajenski A. B, Synthesis of armchair graphene nanoribbons from the 10,10′-dibromo-9,9′-bianthracene molecules on Ag(111): the role of organometallic intermediates, Scientific Reports, 8, (1), 2018, p3506-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  URL
Xin Chen, David McAteer, Cormac McGuinness, Ian Godwin, Jonathan N. Coleman, Aidan R. McDonald, RuII Photosensitizer-Functionalized Two-Dimensional MoS2 for Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution, Chemistry - A European Journal, 24, (2), 2018, p351--355 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Jakub Jadwiszczak, Colin O'Callaghan, Yangbo Zhou, Daniel S Fox, Eamonn Weitz, Darragh Keane, Conor P. Cullen, Ian O'Reilly, Clive Downing, Aleksey Shmeliov, Pierce Maguire, John J. Gough , Cormac McGuinness , Mauro S. Ferreira, A. Louise Bradley , John J. Boland, Georg S. Duesberg, Valeria Nicolosi & Hongzhou Zhang, Oxide-mediated recovery of field effect mobility in plasma-treated MoS2, Science Advances, 4, (2), 2018, peaao5031-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  URL
Jadwiszczak, J. and O'Callaghan, C. and Zhou, Y. and Fox, D.S. and Weitz, E. and Keane, D. and Cullen, C.P. and O'Reilly, I. and Downing, C. and Shmeliov, A. and Maguire, P. and Gough, J.J. and McGuinness, C. and Ferreira, M.S. and Bradley, A.L. and Boland, J.J. and Duesberg, G.S. and Nicolosi, V. and Zhang, H., Oxide-mediated recovery of field-effect mobility in plasma-treated MoS2, Science Advances, 4, (3), 2018, peaao5031-, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Das, Pranab Kumar and Slawinska, Jagoda and Vobornik, Ivana and Fujii, Jun and Regoutz, Anna and Kahk, Juhan M. and Scanlon, David O. and Morgan, Benjamin J. and McGuinness, Cormac and Plekhanov, Evgeny and Di Sante, Domenico and Huang, Ying-Sheng and Chen, Ruei-San and Rossi, Giorgio and Picozzi, Silvia and Branford, William R. and Panaccione, Giancarlo and Payne, David J., Role of spin-orbit coupling in the electronic structure of IrO2, PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS, 2, (6), 2018, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
  

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Award Date
Irish Government European Presidency Postdoctoral Fellowship - one of 12 competitively awarded fellowships based upon own proposal in the first Irish government sponsored postdoctoral fellowships in the sciences in a decade November 1996 - November 1998
Thomas E. Nevin Medal - Experimental Physics, UCD. Awarded to student in first place among Physics graduates with first class honors degree. July 1991
UCD Science: Experimental Physics Third Year Scholar (1st place) December 1990
UCD Science: Computer Science Second Year Scholar (1st place) December 1989
UCD Science: Mathematical Physics First Year Scholar (1st place) December 1988
UCD Science: Mathematics First Year Scholar (1st place) December 1988
In my research I apply x-ray spectroscopic techniques to investigate electronic structure, where the key aspect of these studies and of all my research output has been combining experimental and theoretical understanding of the systems to a great depth. I and my current students presently work on on-surface synthesis of covalently bonded organic molecular networks and novel functional one-dimensional organic nanostructures investigated through synchrotron-based x-ray spectroscopy. I am successful through peer review of my proposals in obtaining synchrotron facility time for these investigations at MAX-IV/MaxLab(Sweden), BESSY-II(Germany), and for earlier studies at NSLS(USA), ALS(USA), SLS(Switzerland), and Daresbury(UK) synchrotrons. An informed critical evaluation of my best research output would reveal a meticulous understanding of the relevant electronic structure whether in organic semiconductors, phthalocyanines, porphyrins, wide-bandgap nitrides, wide-bandgap/metallic oxides, doped magnetic semiconductors, transition metal oxides, highly correlated electron systems with metal-insulator transitions, superconductivity, as well as ionised atomic species in my early career. I have employed x-ray spectroscopic tools XPS, XAS/NEXAFS, XES/RIXS, XMCD, RAS-MOKE and ARPES to probe or measure site-specific, symmetry-, state- and polarisation-dependent electronic structure of e.g. transition metal oxides and chemical bonds between ligand and oxygen in these oxides as well as of organic molecular semiconductors, phthalocyanines and smaller molecules, whether thin films or monolayers, and magnetic systems like self-assembled one-dimensional atomic-width cobalt nanowires on vicinal surfaces and their changed magnetic behaviour upon gold capping. Whether atoms, molecules, or solids, my simulation of electronic structure of these materials is key to my holistic approach encompassing VB DOS/VBXPS, XES/RIXS, and XAS/NEXAFS simulated via density-functional theory (DFT) methods Wien2K (oxides) and StoBe codes (molecules); or Cowan code (atoms) [in my early career]; and (Cowan-derived) atomic-multiplet methods for resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) and XAS/XPS at metal 2p core levels.