Pressure-induced phase transitions of indium selenide

Abstract

My advisor, Matthew McCluskey, for teaching me how to do physics, from performing experiments to interpreting the results, and for mentoring and encouraging me these last six years. My labmates for assisting in experiments, listening to practice talks, and for providing amusement during long work days. Elham Mafi and Yi Gu for providing the nanowire samples, performing Raman measurements, and contributing to manuscripts. The beamline 12.2.2 team at ALS/LBNL: Martin, Christine, Andrew, and Alistair, for hosting me last year as a doctoral fellow and for their assistance with the XRD experiments. Wenguang Zhu for performing first-principles calculations. Zhongwu Wang at CHESS for assisting with the XRD experiments. My classmates for all the late nights finishing homework, our prelim study sessions, and emotional support. Michele and Kasey, I wouldn't have made it to the end without the two iii of you. My family who have provided support, encouragement, and childcare: Candace (a.k.a. Aunt Candace), Mom (a.k.a. Grandma), Dad (a.k.a. Grandpa), Jill (a.k.a. Grammy), and Abby (a.k.a. ABBY!). My husband, Chris. I am who I am today because of you.