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I studied Applied Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, after which I obtained my PhD at the University of Twente in 2006. After 2 years of post-doc at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin (Germany), I joined the FOM Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen in Nieuwegein (the Netherlands). Since 2014, when the current XUV group moved from Nieuwegein to the University of Twente, I have been senior staff member in the XUV group.
Throughout my career I developed a strong background in surface analysis, thin film fabrication and surface chemistry studies.
Expertise Chemistry Surface Energy Ion Scattering Material Science Thin Films Transition Metal Material Physics Organisations My research focuses on the application of surface analysis techniques to (i) study thin film growth, with a focus on XUV optics applications and (ii) study interaction of plasma, ions and radicals with thin film surfaces.
Publications Diving into thin-film interfaces using low energy ion scattering (2025) [Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Valpreda, A. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036565844 Characterization of Plasma-Induced Atomic Diffusion in Thin Films (2025) [Contribution to conference › Poster] International conference on X-Ray and Neutron Multilayer Structures, PXRNMS 2025 . Gerlach, L., Shafikov, A., Tsvetanova, M., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M. Hydrogen radical induced Zn transfer to Ru film surfaces and influence of ambient atmosphere exposure on Zn adsorbates on Ru (2025) Vacuum, 238 . Article 114316 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Gaffarov, I., Sturm, J. M. , Ackermann, M. & Makhotkin, I. A.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2025.114316 Characterization of Plasma-Induced Atomic Diffusion in Thin Films (2025) [Contribution to conference › Poster] 1st NNV Plasma Physics Symposium Rolduc . Gerlach, L., Shafikov, A., Tsvetanova, M., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M. Engineering Work Function to Stabilize Metal Oxides in Reactive Hydrogen (2025) The journal of physical chemistry letters, 16 (10), 2592-2598. Rehman, A., van de Kruijs, R. W. E., van den Beld, W. T. E., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M.https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c03404 Relation between electronic structure and emissivity of MoSi2 -based thin membranes for radiative cooling (2025) Journal of alloys and compounds, 1018 . Article 179277. Baskakov, A., van de Kruijs, R. W. E., Houweling, S., Colombi, G., Akhmetov, F., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.179277 Metallic molybdenum obtained by atomic layer deposition from Mo(CO)6 (2025) Journal of vacuum science & technology A: vacuum, surfaces, and films, 43 (2). Article 022407. van der Zouw, K., van der Wel, B. Y., Sturm, J. M. , Aarnink, A. A. I., Wolters, R. A. M., Gravesteijn, D. J. & Kovalgin, A. Y.https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0004244 TEM observations of plasma - thin film interaction (2025) [Contribution to conference › Poster] NWO Physics 2025 . Gerlach, L., Shafikov, A., Tsvetanova, M., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M. Engineering Work Function to Stabilize Metal Oxides in Reactive Hydrogen (2024) [Working paper › Preprint]. American Chemical Society. Rehman, A., van de Kruijs, R. W. E., van den Beld, W. T. E., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2411.17276 Work-Function-Dependent Reduction of Transition Metal Nitrides in Hydrogen Environments (2024) The journal of physical chemistry letters, 15 (46), 11462-11467. Rehman, A., van de Kruijs, R. W. E., van den Beld, W. T. E., Sturm, J. M. & Ackermann, M.https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c02259 Research profiles I am involved in following courses:
Optics practical of module 6 (BSc Applied Physics)
Surfaces and Thin Layers (MSc Applied Physics)
Nanolab practical (MSc Nanotechnology)
In our research group we usually have thesis assignments available for BSc and MSc students Applied Physics and MSc students Nanotechnology.
Affiliated study programs Courses academic year 2024/2025 Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.
Courses academic year 2023/2024 
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