Ilana Michele Percher, Ph.D.

Experimental condensed matter physicist seeking opportunities in R&D.
Highly-motivated creative, collaborative, and communicative problem-solver.
Visual arts background, with continuing involvement and leadership within arts community.

Skills

Device Fabrication and Characterization: photo- and electron-beam lithography, wet and plasma etching, sputter deposition, thermal and electron-beam evaporation, mechanical thinning, AFM, SEM, Acoustic Micro-imaging

Cryogenic Systems: Oxford Kelvinox 25 Dilution Refrigerator, Quantum Design PPMS, high-vacuum systems, superconducting magnets, quench-deposition of films

Experimental design and measurement: AC and DC resistance measurement, resistance noise (PSD)

Analysis & Other Software: Origin, LabView, AutoCad, Mathematica, Gwyddion, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite

Education

Ph.D. Physics

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN | July 2018

Thesis: 2D Mott Hopping of Vortices in an Amorphous Indium Oxide Film

Advisor: Dr. Allen Goldman

B.A. Physics Major, Studio Art Minor

Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH | May 2004

Research Experience

Post-Doctoral Researcher

University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, Minneapolis, MN | 2018-Present

Repair of Kelvinox 400 dilution refrigerator.
Discuss and present results in bi-weekly group meetings.

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, Minneapolis, MN | 2011-2018

Studied the superconductor-insulator transition in thin films through low-temperature experiments.
Designed and performed precision, low-temp. magneto-transport measurements, with full analysis.
Four years with full responsibility for and use of Oxford Kelvinox 25 dilution refrigerator.
Designed new lab space and infrastructure for dilution refrigerator; performed/oversaw lab move.
Collaborated externally to develop superconducting films and semiconducting heterostructures.
Designed and fabricated electrical devices from these materials.
Operated, maintained, upgraded chamber for quench-deposited aluminum films.
Advised and mentored junior graduate students.

SULI Intern and Research Assistant

Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL | 2004-2005

Redesigned an ion trap on heavy ion mass spectrometer to accommodate cryogenic cooling.
Simulated space charge distribution due to ions in heavy-ion coolers using MS Excel.

Research Assistant

Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH | 2001-2003

Participated in research projects "Pulsar Scintillation through the Interstellar Medium" and "H2 Diffusion from a Fullerene Lattice."

Additional Experience

Teaching Assistant

University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, Minneapolis, MN | 2009-2013

Taught the writing-intensive introductory physics sequence and modern physics.
Coordinated responsibilities for teams of 6-10 teaching assistants as Head TA, 2010-2012.

After-School Science Instructor

Children’s Home and Aid, Lowell Elementary School, Chicago, IL | 2008-2009

Telephone Fundraiser

SD&A, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Annual Fund Campaign, Chicago, IL | 2007-2009

Applications Engineer

Sonoscan, Inc., Elk Grove Village, IL | 2005-2006

Detected defects in a variety of samples using high frequency acoustic microscopy.
Served clients in microelectronics, aerospace, materials, and other major industries.
Responsible for all outgoing microscope equipment as Quality Control Team Leader.

Music Director

Oberlin College Community Radio, WOBC 91.5FM, Oberlin, OH | 2002-2004

Publications

N. A. Lewellyn, I. M. Percher, J. Nelson, J. Garcia-Barriocanal, I. Volotsenko, A. Frydman, T. Vojta, A. M. Goldman. Infinite-Randomness Fixed Point of the Quantum Superconductor-Metal Transitions in Amorphous Thin Films. Phys. Rev. B 99, 054515 (2019).

I. M. Percher, I. Volotsenko, A. Frydman, B. I. Shklovskii, A. M. Goldman. Vortex Variable Range Hopping in a Conventional Superconducting Film. Phys. Rev. B 96, 224511 (2017).

Presentations

APS March Meeting, Vortex Variable Range Hopping in a Conventional Superconducting Film, Session A31: Superconductivity: Vortex Phases and Dynamics. Los Angeles, 2018

APS March Meeting, Griffiths Effects in the Quantum Phase Transition of an Indium Oxide Film, Session V25: Superconductivity: Superconductor-Insulator Transitions. Baltimore, 2016

Condensed Matter Sack Lunch Seminar, Using Dissipation to Tune Superconductivity in Ultra-Thin Films, University of Minnesota, 2014

Northern Spark, Some River Waves Physics, Mississippi Megalops Floating Chautauqua. St. Paul, MN, 2011

Art Shanty Projects, So You Think You Know Ice?, Warming Shanty. Plymouth, MN, 2007

Groups & Associations

Member of Board of Directors

Art Shanty Projects, Minneapolis, MN | 2016-present

Member

American Physical Society | 2012-present

Fellow

City Art Collaboratory, Public Art St. Paul, St. Paul, MN | 2012-2013

Board Member and Coordinator

Women in Physics & Astronomy (WiPA), UMN, Minneapolis, MN | 2009-2015

Coordinator 2012-2013.
Organized events to facilitate community and mentorship between women within and beyond the UMN Physics/Astro department.
Proposed, wrote, and followed-up on grants to support WiPA activities.