Siva Sivananthan is an American physicist, materials scientist, and entrepreneur of Sri Lankan Tamil origin. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of II-VI semiconductors, particularly mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe), used in infrared detector technologies. He is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the founder of EPIR Technologies, Inc.
Biography
Siva Sivananthan was born in Sri Lanka and later moved to the United States. He pursued his higher education and established his career primarily in the field of condensed matter physics and materials science, with a specific focus on semiconductor device fabrication.Education
Sivananthan received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). His doctoral research focused on the growth and characterization of II-VI semiconductor materials, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to infrared technology.Career
Sivananthan began his academic career at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he eventually became a Distinguished Professor of Physics. He also directs the Microphysics Laboratory at UIC, a leading research facility for epitaxial growth of advanced semiconductor materials.In addition to his academic roles, Sivananthan is a successful entrepreneur. He founded EPIR Technologies, Inc. (now known as QMAGIQ), a company dedicated to commercializing advanced infrared sensing technologies developed from his research. EPIR Technologies has been a significant player in providing high-performance infrared detectors for defense, commercial, and scientific applications.
Research and Contributions
Sivananthan's primary research contributions revolve around the development of high-quality II-VI semiconductor materials, especially HgCdTe, using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). His work has been instrumental in:- Advancing HgCdTe Technology: Developing methods to grow high-quality HgCdTe layers on alternative substrates, reducing manufacturing costs and improving device performance for infrared detectors.
- Infrared Detectors: His research has directly led to significant improvements in the sensitivity, operating temperature, and versatility of infrared photodetectors used in night vision, thermal imaging, spectroscopy, and remote sensing.
- Fundamental Materials Science: Contributing to the fundamental understanding of material growth, defect mechanisms, and electronic properties of narrow-gap semiconductors.
His work has been extensively funded by government agencies, including the Department of Defense, recognizing the strategic importance of his research.
Awards and Recognition
Siva Sivananthan has received numerous accolades for his scientific and entrepreneurial achievements, including:- Election to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional honors accorded to an engineer.
- Recipient of the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his success in business and job creation.
- Various other scientific and academic awards acknowledging his pioneering work in semiconductor physics and infrared technology.