Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç

Robert J E Westbrook

Dr Robert J E Westbrook

MSci PhD

  • Position Governing Body Fellow Junior Research Fellow
  • School Department of Physics - The Cavendish Laboratory Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
  • Email rw794@cam.ac.uk

Rob is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology and the Cavendish Laboratory. His on-going research focuses on using different types of microscopy to develop next-generation semiconductors for broad applications across optoelectronics.

Robert J E Westbrook

Rob studied for his MSci in Chemistry & Molecular Physics at the University of Nottingham and carried out the research leg of his Master's at the University of Copenhagen, where he developed graphene derivatives for applications in transparent conductors. He received the King Memorial Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Research for his master's research. He then conducted his doctoral studies between University College London and Imperial via the Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Characterization of Materials, using advanced spectroscopy techniques to develop next-generation hybrid organic-inorganic solar cells. He was a Mistletoe Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington under Professor David Ginger, where he used ultrafast spectroscopy to understand the role of solid-state packing in determining charge generation and air-sensitivity in organic semiconductors.

As a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, his research aims to provide a better understanding of how nanoscale defects in emerging semiconductors impact the performance of solar cells, light-emitting diodes and transistors, using a mixture of spectroscopy, microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray characterization.

Control over conductivity and carrier type defines semiconductors. A general approach to increase carrier concentrations is doping, where a host atom is substituted for a lower (or higher) valence dopant atom, releasing a free electron (or positively charged hole). Indeed, high-performance commercial semiconductors based on first-generation semiconductors are often heavily doped. However, controlled doping of third-generation PSCs remains underdeveloped, most likely because traditional exogeneous methods for doping would likely cause severe damage to the relatively soft perovskite structure. On the other hand, perovskites containing Sn are known to undergo strong self p-doping (i.e. endogeneous), with high doping levels. This Sn redox chemistry in Sn-containing perovskites presents a potential lever for controlled doping.

Rob uses the world-class facilities at StranksLab and the Cavendish Laboratory to map the dopant density on the nanoscale in halide perovskites. He will then correlate this information with other types of microscopy (e.g. atomic force, X-ray), to establish deep relationships between local dopant density, morphology, crystal structure, and elemental composition. In doing so, Rob hopes to advance the performance of solar cells, LEDs, and field-effect transistors based on halide perovskites

Away from the laboratory, Rob enjoys spreading the word about optoelectronics to the broader public, leading outreach activities on making solar cells out of berries, explaining the role of the "band gap" in semiconductor science, and writing articles on exciting new research for Physics World.

What's on

A triptych of abstract images: a smooth round stone nestled in a curved rock, distorted eyeglass frames scattered on a white background, and a high-contrast black and white microscopic image resembling organic or cellular structures.

Art Exhibition: Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çat 60

21/06/2025 at 10.00

Celebrating Wolfson’s 60th anniversary year, this exhibition highlights the range of artistic disciplines and styles that have made up our exhibitions over the years.

View more
A group of people stands outdoors near a table with books and papers, attentively reading or listening during a gathering.

WolfWords Launch and Poetry Reading

27/06/2025 at 11.00

Please come and join us for the launch of this year's WolfWords poetry anthology, which brings together poems from the entire Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çcommunity.

View more
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çChampagne Credit Ian Olsson

Wolfson's 60th Birthday Party

27/06/2025 at 18.30

Come party like it's 1965 as we celebrate Wolfson's 60th birthday!

View more
Graphic for "Cambridge Zero Community Day" on 28 June 2025 from 10:00 to 20:30, with the tagline "Forging a Future for Our Planet" and descriptors "Innovative, Inclusive, Impactful."

Cambridge Zero Community Day

28/06/2025 at 10.00

Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çCollege will showcase its commitment to Sustainability and Conservation and Green Impact by exhibiting a number of projects around the College at the Cambridge Zero Community Day.

View more
A large stone church with a tall spire and ornate Gothic-style windows stands on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky.

Thaxted Festival Mass

29/06/2025 at 11.00

Haydn’s delightful Little Organ Mass will be sung by Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çChamber Singers, accompanied by the historic Lincoln Organ played by Tom Williamson.

View more
Show all

News

Show all