.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS Astrophysics, Atomic, Biophysics, Computational, Materials, Molecular, Nanoscale, Nuclear, Optics, Particle, Physics Education

Overview

The Department of Physics at North Carolina State University is committed to world-class research, mentoring, and

teaching. We strive to provide an exciting and fertile intellectual climate. This includes pioneering research in pure

and applied physics, weekly research seminars and colloquia, a large and diverse graduate physics curriculum, and

individually-tailored graduate plans for entering graduate students. We welcome and receive graduate applications

from all over the world. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina and

one corner of the high-technology region known as the Research Triangle.

Department at a Glance

49 tenure-track/tenured/research faculty

Over 110 graduate students

Graduate student to faculty ratio: 2.5:1

11 NSF, DOE, and NIH Career and Young

Investigator Awards

24 American Physical Society Fellows

1 Member of the National Academy of Sciences

6 Fellows of the American Association for the

Advancement of Science

2 Fellows of the Optical Society of America

3 Fellows of the American Vacuum Society

Highest female faculty proportion of any major

program

Total dollar amount for federally-funded research

(2009-2010): $6,761,328 ($9,055,803 total)

Very high success rate on comprehensive written

exam; median time to Ph.D. degree is 6 years

Supercomputer Simulation of Supernova

Force Chains in Granular Material

Financial Support

Nearly all graduate students in our department are supported by a teaching assistantship (TA), research assistantship

(RA), or fellowships. Health insurance is provided to all students in good academic standing. Tuition is also covered

for at least 5 years for those with a TA, RA, or fellowship.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Graduate Fellowships and Supplements for Excellence

The North Carolina State University Physics Department is committed to providing fellowships and supplements for

excellence to its incoming graduate students. Some recent examples include NSF Graduate Research Fellowships,

the N.C. State Andrews Fellowship , and GAANN Fellowships. Outstanding U.S. applicants are eligible for these

fellowships and a number of supplements for excellence. There are typically 10 nine-month awards, ranging in

amounts from $8,000 to $22,000. The support is initially for one academic year, with possible renewal. Fellowships

and supplements can reduce or eliminate teaching loads, allowing recipients to focus on accelerated coursework or to

get an early start on research. Application target date for Fall 2014 applicants is January 9, 2014.

Research Areas

Our large and diverse research program covers most areas of forefront physics research

Experimental:

Atomic Physics and Quantum Optics

Biophysics

Electronic Materials

Nanoscience and Materials

Nuclear Physics (Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory)

Optics

Physics Education

Soft Matter Physics

Synchrotron Radiation

Thin Films

Theoretical/Computational:

Astrophysics

Atomic Physics

Condensed Matter Physics

General Relativity

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nanoscience/Materials and Biomolecular Simulations

(Center for High Performance Simulation)

Graduate Student Life at NC State

Our graduate program has over 110 graduate students. Roughly one-half are from the U.S. and one-half are from

other countries. In recent years the list of countries has included China, Germany, Great Britain, India, Iran, Jamaica,

Japan, Korea, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and the Virgin Islands. Our department is among the national

leaders for the number of female and under-represented minority Ph.D. graduates in physics. While academically

demanding, life as a physics graduate student at North Carolina State University offers a wide variety of social and

recreational activities within the city of Raleigh and the surrounding Research Triangle area. Raleigh is located

within two to four hours driving distance from the North Carolina beaches and Outer Banks on the east and the Blue

Ridge, Smoky Mountains, and Appalachian Trail on the west.

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through our webpage, www.physics.ncsu.edu. Prospective

students can contact any faculty member directly or the Graduate Program office at

py-grad-program@ncsu.edu. The NC State Physics Department has a listing in the American Institute of Physics

publication Graduate Programs in Physics, Astronomy, and Related Fields.

Application deadline for priority consideration for Fall 2014: January 9, 2014

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Graduate Student Life – Work and Play

Panorama View of NC State Belltower and Campus

Life in the Physics Department

What is it like to be a physics graduate student at NC State? You can read about life in the physics department from

our physics graduate student blog, gradblog.physics.ncsu.edu. Here are some comments posted by students.

“...With that said, it is still possible to have some personal time. The social environment here at NCSU is very

unique. Instead of the strict competition you might find at some schools, there is a much more welcoming and

friendly environment to be found here. I came to Raleigh knowing literally no one, and already by my second

semester, I have found a close group of friends. … I think it’s time to go hang out with them! Catch ya later!”

“… I came to NC State University in 2008, right after I graduated from SJTU in Shanghai with a BS in Physics and

Optics. After searching for a year in Physics Department, I finally settled down in Dr. Lucovsky's research group and

stayed since then. My research topic is XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy) of amorphous

semiconductor, which involve both theoretical calculation and experiments. The theoretical side relies on group

theory and ab initio methods while samples made in our group are tested at synchrotron facilities such as SSRL and

NSLSL. In my leisure time, I participate in various activities from parties to skiing trips, mostly with my fellow

physics students. While alone, I play video/PC games and read books, or visit museums sometimes. Life in Raleigh is good so far.”

Entering Class of Fall 2011

Court of Carolina on NC State Campus

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Downtown Raleigh at Night

Progress Energy Performing Arts Center

Metropolitan Raleigh and the Research Triangle

NC State University is located in Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, with a population of over one million in

the Raleigh metropolitan region. NC State is one of the three Triangle universities which anchor the Research

Triangle. The other Triangle universities are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University in

Durham. The Research Triangle is a national center for physics research, drawing upon synergies among the three

Triangle universities and several hundred R&D companies and research institutes in Research Triangle Park and

surrounding areas. Students may cross-register for advanced courses at any Triangle university and take advantage

of numerous joint seminars and research institutes. The Research Triangle and Raleigh metropolitan area has

garnered the following national accolades:

■ #1 Best City – Bloomberg Businessweek 2011

■ #1 Best Places for Business and Careers – Forbes 2011

■ #1 Quality of Life – Portfolio.com 2010

■ #1 Fastest Growing Metropolitan Region – US Census 2009

■ #2 Brain Magnet in the Nation – Forbes 2011

■ #4 Smartest Cities – US Census 2010

The following quote is from Bloomberg Businessweek 2011:

“… To most residents of Raleigh, it may not come as a surprise that their city earned the title of America's Best City.

Raleigh shows the cultural graces that go along with anchoring the so-called research triangle, home to North

Carolina State University, ... Among its many attributes the city sports 867 restaurants, 110 bars, and 51 museums,

according to Onboard Informatics, as well as a thriving social scene, good schools, and 12,512 park acres, equal to

several times the green space per capita in cities like New York and Los Angeles, according to the Trust for Public

Land. It also offers a great deal on nights and weekends--from concerts and opera, to the NHL's Carolina

Hurricanes and college sports, to the 30,000-sq.-ft. State Farmers Market.” ____________________________

Raleigh Little Theater and Rose Garden

Lake Wheeler

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Astrophysics

BlondinBorkowskiBrownEllisonFröhlichKnellerLazzatiMcLaughlinReynolds

Overview

The astrophysics group at North Carolina State

University investigates a range of topics within the

broad category of high-energy astrophysics. Research

includes observations with space-based observatories,

analytical and numerical modeling, and large-scale

numerical simulations. In addition to work described

below, topics include Big Bang nucleosynthesis,

galactic chemical evolution, stellar winds, interacting

binary stars, accretion disks, and pulsar wind nebulae.

Our research is funded by NASA, NSF, and DOE.

Research Areas

Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts represent

the most violent explosions in our universe. The

gravitational collapse of the stellar core in both of

these events is expected to break spherical symmetry

and lead to a strong source of gravitational waves.

Prof. Brown works to develop analytical and

numerical tools that can be used to investigate these

strongly gravitating systems and predict the

gravitational radiation emitted by SNe and GRBs.

Prof. Lazzati studies the theory of long-duration

GRBs, believed to be produced by relativistic jets of

plasma ejected in the core of massive stars at the end

of their evolutionary cycle. He studies the

mechanisms for the energy release in the core of the

star, the physics of the jet propagation, the emission of

the prompt radiation, and the afterglow emission.

Prof. Blondin works with the CHIMERA

collaboration to develop full-physics three-

dimensional numerical simulations of core-collapse

supernovae. His particular interest is in understanding

the origin of the Spherical Accretion Shock

Instability, and its role in driving supernova

explosions. Prof. Fröhlich’s interests include the roles

of nuclear structure, the equation of state of bulk

nuclear matter, plasma dynamics, and neutrino

transport. Profs. Kneller and McLaughlin study the

evolving flavor composition of neutrinos as they

propagate through supernovae and how various

mechanisms that drive that evolution manifest

themselves in the signal expected when we next detect

the burst from a galactic supernova. From this signal

one can hope to tease out the unknown properties of

the neutrino such as the ordering of the neutrino

masses, the size of the last mixing angle and the CP

phase.

X-ray observations by Reynolds in the constellation

Sagittarius discovered the remains of the most recent supernova in our galaxy

Supernova Remnants (SNRs) are a focus of

research at NCSU, from detection of scandium in

G1.9+0.3, the youngest supernova in our galaxy, to

the role of dynamical instabilities in disrupting the

oldest SNRs in our galaxy like the Cygnus Loop.

Profs. Borkowski and Reynolds use various space-

based observatories to study SNRs, in X-rays with the

Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Suzaku satellites, and in

infrared with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. X-ray

emission includes thermal emission, providing

information on remnant ages, energetics, and

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

elemental composition; and nonthermal, synchrotron

emission from extremely energetic electrons, giving

information on the shock acceleration process which

is probably responsible for producing galactic cosmic

rays. Prof. Ellison studies the acceleration of these

particles via the Diffusive Shock Acceleration

mechanism including nonlinear effects of particle

acceleration on the shock dynamics. Prof. Blondin

uses hydrodynamic simulations to study the evolution

of SNRs, the role of instabilities in mixing heavy-

element ejecta with circumstellar gas, and the

formation of large-scale asymmetries. Prof. Reynolds

models synchrotron emission at radio and X-ray

wavelengths from shell SNRs as well as from pulsar-

wind nebulae, "bubbles" of relativistic electrons and

magnetic field produced by pulsars. Both the spatial

distribution and the spectrum of this emission contain

information important for understanding how particles

are accelerated to high energies in astrophysical shock

waves, and how pulsars produce their relativistic

winds of material.

Cosmic Rays are the highest energy particles

observed from space. Prof. Ellison studies the

production of energetic particles in shock waves in a

variety of astrophysical sites via the Diffusive Shock

Acceleration mechanism. Shock acceleration is highly

efficient and nonlinear and most work involves

modeling this mechanism with computer simulations.

Cosmic rays affect nuclear abundances through a

process known as spallation, where a relativistic

proton can shatter a heavy nucleus such as oxygen to

produce lighter elements. Prof. Kneller aims to better

understand the sources of cosmic rays, their evolution,

and the environment where spallation occurs.

Dust is a primary source of infrared emission from a

variety of astrophysical objects. Astronomical dust is

one of the least understood components of the

interstellar medium. Profs. Borkowski and Reynolds

use infrared emission to infer the properties of dust in

SNRs and to understand grain destruction in hot,

shocked plasma. Prof. Lazzati’s research focuses on

the mechanisms of dust nucleation, the process of

forming the seeds of dust particles (usually micro-

grains with only several tens of atoms in them) from

purely gaseous compounds.

Computational Astrophysics is an over-arching

theme in the astrophysics group at NCSU. Prof.

Ellison uses Monte-Carlo techniques to model non-

linear effects in shock waves. Prof. Brown is

developing numerical algorithms for the Einstein

equations and using numerical simulations to model

gravitational wave production in binary black hole

systems. Profs. Fröhlich, Kneller and McLaughlin use

nuclear reaction network codes and neutrino transport

algorithms to study nucleosynthesis and neutrino

flavor mixing in a variety of astrophysics applications.

Profs. Blondin and Lazzati use large-scale 3D

hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic simulations

to study systems ranging from stellar winds to GRBs.

Computing resources used by our group range from a

dedicated local linux cluster to national

supercomputers including DOE’s Jaguar at the

National Center for Computational Sciences, NASA’s

Pleiades and several NSF TeraGrid systems.

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the astrophysics group webpage, astro.physics.ncsu.edu. Prospective students can contact the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu or any faculty member

directly. The email addresses are as follows:

john_blondin@ncsu.edu

kborkow@ncsu.edu

david_brown@ncsu.edu

don_ellison@ncsu.edu

carla_frohlich@ncsu.edu

jim_kneller@ncsu.edu

davide_lazzati@ncsu.edu

gail_mclaughlin@ncsu.edu

steve_reynolds@ncsu.edu

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Biophysics

Overview

The biological physics group at North Carolina State

University uses experimental, theoretical and

computational approaches to investigate a wide range

of biological problems. We are interested in processes

that span molecular level phenomena through cellular

systems and all the way to living organisms. We are

addressing questions relevant to human health that

include protein folding, structural biology, enzymatic

biochemistry, protein-DNA interactions, cell signaling

pathways and epigenetics.

Our work is funded by the National Institutes of

Health, the National Science Foundation, the

Department of Energy and private organizations like

the American Cancer Society. Our approach is highly

interdisciplinary, often involving close collaborations

with scientists in the medical schools at Duke and

UNC Chapel Hill, and other universities and national

labs. Our group co-hosts the weekly Soft Condensed

Matter and Biophysics seminar series. Our faculty,

staff, and student offices are located in Riddick Hall.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Jerzy Bernholc Prof. Bernholc uses sophisticated computational

methodology for electronic structure calculations of

biological molecules that combines advanced

mathematical techniques with the power of parallel

computers. A real-space multigrid method, developed

at NCSU, enables ab initio studies of very large

systems. A recently developed hybrid real-space

method enables accurate, quantum-mechanical

simulations of large solvated biomolecules and of

biomolecular aspects of human diseases. The first

applications of this method concern the role of copper

in prion and Parkinson diseases. Continued research

focuses on the role of transition metals in human

metabolism and diseases. (bernholc@ncsu.edu)

Hans Hallen Prof. Hallen's interest in biophysics centers on probe-

based optical devices as sensors or agents. In the latter

case, the induced phenomenon would be studied in

conjunction with standard microscopic cellular

biology techniques. The group developed a nano-bio

sensor that can apply nano-defined light or electric

field. This has been made biocompatible and is also

able to manipulate a nucleus within a cell or between

cells. (hans_hallen@ncsu.edu)

Shuang Fang Lim Prof. Lim’s work focuses on DNA methylation

analysis and chromatin histone modifications of rare

earth doped nanoparticles. Her research includes

synthesis of nanoparticles, bioconjugation, their

photophysics and bio-applications such as biosensors

and biotherapeutic agents. She also works on the

epigenetic mapping of DNA and chromatin.

(sflim@ncsu.edu)

Robert Riehn Prof. Riehn is interested in the physics of biological

molecules in nano-scale environments. In particular,

DNA can be efficiently manipulated by confining it to

channels with a cross-section that is on the order of

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

the DNA persistence length (50 nm). His work

develops novel techniques in nanobiotechnology,

using nanoconfined DNA to solve biological puzzles.

Prof. Riehn’s research combines nanotechnology with

polymer physics to provide innovative technologies

for biological analysis. He is particularly interested in

the individuality of large-scale genetic functions

during development and in cancers, and has developed

techniques for determining the epigenetic state of

individual genomic-size DNA fragments.

(rriehn@ncsu.edu)

Christopher Roland Prof. Roland’s research centers on exploring

properties of nanoscale materials and biomolecules.

Most recent interests have focused on (i)

methodological developments for multiscale,

biomolecular simulations; (ii) quantum transport

through nanoscale devices; (iii) action and function of

select biomolecules; and (iv) physics of carbon

nanotube and related systems. To explore the

interesting physics of these systems, he uses a range

of computational methods such as quantum chemistry,

density functional theory, classical molecular

dynamics, phase field models, and kinetic Monte

Carlo simulations, all coupled with the principles of

statistical mechanics. (cmroland@ncsu.edu)

Celeste Sagui Prof. Sagui’s research interests include statistical

mechanics, condensed matter theory and complex

systems, phase separation and nucleation processes,

and computational biology and biomolecular

simulations. Recent work has focused on

methodological developments for the accurate and

efficient treatment of electrostatics, and free-energy

methods for large-scale biomolecular simulations.

Resulting codes have been implemented in the

AMBER package, of which Prof. Sagui is a co-author.

Recent systems under study include nucleic acids and

proteins, solvation, modulated condensed matter

systems for nanotechnological applications, antibiotics

and metalloproteins. To explore properties of these

systems, she uses a range of computational methods

such as quantum chemistry, density functional theory,

classical molecular dynamics, phase field models and

hydrodynamics equations. (celeste_sagui@ncsu.edu)

Hong Wang

Prof. Wang’s research centers on single-molecule

experimental investigations of the structure-function

relationships that govern the maintenance of

telomeres, which are nucleoprotein structures that cap

the ends of linear chromosomes. Her lab uses two

complementary single-molecule imaging techniques

(atomic force microscopy and fluorescence imaging)

along with quantum dot labeled proteins. The goal of

her current research is to investigate the effects of

DNA damage on the conformational and dynamic

properties of telomeric DNA structure and telomere

binding proteins. (hong_wang@ncsu.edu)

Keith Weninger

Prof. Weninger’s research interests are focused on

experimentally revealing the molecular mechanisms at

work in complex biological systems with the use of

single molecule, optical spectroscopy. His lab uses a

variety of optical techniques (including single

molecule FRET, single particle tracking, and

fluorescence quenching) that are capable of resolving

the real-time dynamical motion of individual

biological molecules. Current efforts are addressing

aspects of protein folding, membrane fusion

phenomena, and DNA mismatch repair processes.

(keith_weninger@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the biophysics group webpage,

www.physics.ncsu.edu/research/biophysics_and_soft_condensed_matter.html and the webpages of the

individual researchers linked from there. Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly (see email

addresses above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Experimental Nuclear Physics

Overview

The experimental nuclear group is active in studies of

fundamental symmetries of neutrons and nuclei,

particle astrophysics, and a variety of applied topics in

nuclear structure and nuclear technology. One of the

focus areas for the group is experiments which utilize

ultracold neutrons, where the NCSU group plays a

leading role in the neutron static electric dipole

moment (nEDM) experiment; in several innovative,

high precision measurements of neutron beta-decay

(UCNA and the NIST lifetime experiment); and in the

development of next generation ultracold neutron

sources. We are also involved in neutrinoless double

beta-decay and dark matter experiments, nuclear

structure measurements on a wide variety of nuclei

and nuclear systems, and some research directed to

applications of nuclear technology for engineering and

industrial problems.

Our faculty are members of the Triangle Universities

Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL), a DOE Center of

Excellence which offers a unique suite of low energy,

polarized particle beams, the High Intensity Gamma-

Ray Source, and cryogenic facilities for local

experiments. On the NCSU campus, we also perform

research at the PULSTAR reactor, where we are

building a world-class ultracold neutron source. We

plan to build a small scale version of the neutron

electric dipole moment experiment, using ultra-cold

neutrons from this source. Our research is funded by

the Department of Energy and the National Science

Foundation.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Robert Golub Prof. Golub’s research interests include symmetry

violations, in particular T violation and the search for

a neutron electric dipole moment. Much of his current

research involves the use of ultracold neutrons as a

tool for applied and fundamental research. Another

common theme is the use of low energy particle spin

dynamics, including NMR techniques and applications

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

to exotic neutron scattering instruments. His current

experimental work is focused on ultracold neutrons, 3He NMR, and the development of imaging

techniques for the nEDM project. He is also working

on the design and construction of an apparatus to

study the interaction of UCN with 3He as a prototype

for the search for the nEDM project.

(rgolub@ncsu.edu)

David Haase Prof. Haase employs experimental techniques in low

temperature and condensed matter physics in the study

of the properties of neutrons and nuclei. He and his

students have constructed refrigerators and devices to

polarize nuclear targets for neutron scattering

experiments. His current project is the development

of the cryogenic systems for the neutron electric

dipole moment (nEDM) experiment that is being

prepared for construction at Oak Ridge National

Laboratory. (david_haase@ncsu.edu)

Paul Huffman Prof. Huffman is the technical coordinator and deputy

contract project manager for the nEDM project. He is

also the leader of the NIST lifetime experiment, which

magnetically traps ultracold neutrons produced in

superfluid helium and then measures their decay in

situ to extract the neutron lifetime. Prof. Huffman is

also involved in the development of the fundamental

nuclear physics beamline at the Spallation Neutron

Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His

research spans a wide range of neutron-related topics,

and also includes the measurement of coherent

scattering amplitudes in low-Z nuclei, fundamental

symmetries tests in nuclei, and the use of thermal

neutrons for 3D imaging. (paul_huffman@ncsu.edu)

John Kelley

At the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Prof.

Kelley is involved in research utilizing the High

Intensity Gamma-Ray Source (HIGS). In the tandem

laboratory, neutron beam experiments are carried out

to refine neutron reaction cross sections that are

essential for projects in energy generation, national

security, transmutation of waste, and basic research.

At HIGS, high-resolution studies using Nuclear

Resonance Fluoresence techniques (NRF) are

searching for new levels. The beams from HIGS

provide an excellent tool for discovering levels and

characterizing their properties. In addition to studies

of nuclei in the actinide region, recent NRF studies

have focused on characterizing the pygmy dipole

resonance, which is a collective excitation mode in

some neutron-rich nuclei. He is also active in the

Data Evaluation Group at the Triangle Universities

Nuclear Laboratory. (kelley@tunl.duke.edu)

Albert Young Prof. Young’s research uses neutrons and nuclei to

probe aspects of the particle physics standard model.

He helps lead the UCNA project at Los Alamos,

which measures angular correlations in neutron decay

using ultracold neutrons. He also helped develop the

solid deuterium ultracold neutron source at Los

Alamos (the only operating source of extracted

ultracold neutrons in the U.S.), and he is involved in

the construction of an ultracold neutron source at the

PULSTAR reactor on NCSU campus. His research

interests include neutrinoless double beta-decay,

symmetry tests in nuclear beta-decay and some

biomedical applications. (albert_young@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the experimental nuclear physics group webpage,

http://www.physics.ncsu.edu/experimentalnuclearphysics. Prospective students can contact any faculty member

directly (see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Nanoscale and Materials Simulations

Overview

The nanoscale and materials simulations group

investigates a wide range of topics including large

scale simulations of materials, bio-molecular

processes, semiconductors, nanotubes and related

nanoscale structures; quantum Monte Carlo

simulations; multiscale methods; quantum transport;

nanostructured materials; phase separation; ferrofluid

liquid-state theory; interfaces; diffusion pattern

formation; electronic properties of transition-metal

oxides and silicates.

The group benefits from many collaborations with

colleagues in several departments at NC State

University as well as many other universities and

research laboratories. The nanoscale and materials

simulations group is also an integral part of the Center

for High Performance Simulation at NC State which

brings together faculty, postdocs, and students in the

College of Engineering and College of Physical and

Mathematical Sciences in electronic, atomic, meso-

scale, and macroscopic simulation methods. The

Center for High Performance Simulation is directed

by Prof. Jerzy Bernholc in Physics and Prof. Keith

Gubbins in Chemical Engineering.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Jerzy Bernholc Prof. Bernholc is working in several subfields of

theoretical condensed matter, materials physics, and

biophysics. In the area of semiconductors, this

includes the theory of defects, impurities, diffusion,

semiconductor surfaces and steps, and surface optical

properties. In the emerging field of fullerenes, his

contributions include predictions of fundamental

properties of solid C60 soon after its discovery.

Another area of research is new methodology for

electronic structure calculations using advanced

mathematical techniques and massive parallel

computing. His current research focuses on nanoscale

science and technology, nano and molecular

electronics, energy storage mechanisms, the role of

transition metals in human metabolism and diseases,

and algorithms and methodology of high-performance

scalable parallel computing. (bernholc@ncsu.edu)

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Lubos Mitas Prof. Mitas' research includes many-body

computational methods for quantum systems, ab initio

calculations of electronic structure, fundamental

properties of many-body wavefunctions, variational

and quantum Monte Carlo methods, and the

theoretical prediction and analysis of new clusters,

molecules, and solids. Some of his recent work

includes structural properties of transition metal

oxides under pressure, electronic and atomic

structures of transition metal nanoparticles, theory of

pfaffian pairing wavefunctions, structure of fermion

nodes and nodal cells, excitations in silane and

methane molecules, silicon nanoparticles,

ferromagnetism in hexaborides, and electron

correlations in carbon rings.

(lubos_mitas@ncsu.edu)

Christopher Roland Prof. Roland explores the properties of nanoscale

materials and biomolecules. Recent topics include

methods for multiscale biomolecular simulations,

quantum transport in nanoscale devices; the dynamics

and biological function of certain biomolecules, and

the physics of nanotubes. Several recent studies

include pattern formation and strain-induced

instabilities in modulated systems, first-principles

calculations of capacitance in carbon nanotubes,

Schottky barriers in carbon and boron nitride nanotube

devices, and quantum transport through short

semiconducting nanotubes. (cmroland@ncsu.edu)

Celeste Sagui Prof. Sagui's research interests include statistical

mechanics, condensed matter theory and complex

systems, phase separation and nucleation processes,

computational biology and biomolecular simulations.

Recent work has focused on the accurate and efficient

treatment of electrostatics and free-energy methods

for large-scale biomolecular simulations. Some

systems under study include structure and transitions

of nucleic aids and proteins, molecular and ion

solvation, modulated condensed matter systems for

nanotechnological applications, antibiotics and

metalloproteins. To explore the properties of these

systems, Prof. Sagui uses a range of computational

methods including quantum chemistry, density

functional theory, classical molecular dynamics, phase

field models, and hydrodynamics.

(celeste_sagui@ncsu.edu)

Carbon nanotube aligned with atoms of a graphite sheet exhibits good current flow

Three-dimensional slice of the 59-dimensional

node of electronic wavefunction of solid nitrogen

Further Information

Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly (see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program

office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Nanoscience, Electronic Materials, and Thin Films

Overview

The nanoscience, electronic materials, and thin films

group at North Carolina State University studies a

wide range of topics covering fields as diverse as

nanotribology and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

With research in a variety of nanoscience programs,

faculty members have interests that overlap with

others in the department and extend to many

departments and colleges in the university. Funding

comes from a variety of sources including the

National Science Foundation, the Department of

Energy, and various agencies of the Department of

Defense as well as industrial sponsors.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

David Aspnes Prof. Aspnes’ research focuses on optical

spectroscopy of semiconductors and surface physics.

Contributions include the discovery, elucidation, and

development of low-field electroreflectance for high-

resolution spectroscopy of semiconductors and the

determination of their band structures; the

development and application of spectroscopic

ellipsometry to the analysis of surfaces, interfaces,

thin films, and bulk materials; and the development

and application of reflectance-difference spectroscopy

for the real-time analysis of epitaxial growth.

Research activities are directed toward nondestructive

analysis of surfaces, interfaces, and bulk materials,

high precision determination of energy band critical

points by reciprocal space analysis, properties of Si

surfaces and interfaces, propagation of short optical

pulses, and the development of methods of realizing

real-time diagnostics and control of semiconductor

epitaxy by organometallic chemical vapor deposition.

(aspnes@ncsu.edu)

Daniel Dougherty Prof. Dougherty and his research team study the

physics of solid surfaces. They are particularly

interested in pushing the spectroscopic capabilities of

the scanning tunneling microscope for versatile

nanomaterials characterization. Current research

topics include spin transport in organic films;

structure, morphology, and electronic properties at

organic semiconductor interfaces; and the growth and

electronic characterization of nanoporous metal-ligand

surface networks. As participants in the NC State

Center for Molecular Spintronics, Dougherty’s group

is working to establish the basic surface science of

organic spintronic molecules adsorbed on magnetic

surfaces and is working to characterize the

implications of the coordination bonding for

electronic properties of molecular assemblies using

scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

(dbdoughe@ncsu.edu)

Kenan Gundogdu Prof. Gundogdu’s research is aimed at investigation of

structural and electronic dynamics in condensed

matter systems using ultrafast and nonlinear optical

spectroscopy techniques. Specifically the focus is on

the dynamics that are relevant to solar energy

conversion. Some research questions include what is

the role of coherent and incoherent electron motion in

energy conversion, how does energy transport happen

in interfaces that involve inorganic and organic

materials, and what are the physical properties of

optical excitations in such hybrid materials?

(kenan_gundogdu@ncsu.edu)

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Jacqueline Krim Prof. Krim heads the Nanoscale Tribology Laboratory

located in Partners III on Centennial Campus. Her

research interests include solid-film growth processes

and topologies at submicron length scales, liquid-film

wetting phenomena, and nanotribology (the study of

friction, wear, and lubrication at nanometer length and

time scales). Research in Prof. Krim’s laboratory

spans a variety of investigations including quartz

crystal microbalance studies of atomic scale friction;

multifunctional extreme environment surfaces;

hydrodynamic lubrication in fiber processing; and

nanotribology for air and space. The Krim group is a

major participant in the National Science

Foundation’s Center for Radio Frequency

Microelectromechanical Systems Reliability and

Design Fundamentals. (jackie_krim@ncsu.edu)

Gerald Lucovsky

Prof. Lucovsky’s research activities are in the

deposition of thin film electronic materials using

remote plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Materials being studied include silicon oxide, silicon

nitride, and silicon oxynitride; amorphous,

microcrystalline, and crystalline silicon and silicon

alloys; and crystalline gallium nitride and gallium

phosphide. A second area of research deals with

studies of the properties of thermally grown silicon

dioxide and comparisons with plasma deposited

oxides. These programs couple basic studies of

materials synthesis and characterization with device

applications. (lucovsky@ncsu.edu)

Michael Paesler

Prof. Paesler investigates semiconductors using

extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS).

Current research focuses on a family of phase change

memory (PCM) materials that exhibit dramatic

material property changes when switched between

their amorphous and crystalline states. While these

materials hold considerable promise in a variety of

applications, the fundamental changes involved with

the amorphous-crystalline transition are not well

understood. The Paesler group studies PCM samples

using EXAFS at national synchrotron facilities such as

the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven

National Laboratory and the Advanced Photon Source

at Argonne National Laboratory. Recent studies

examine local bonding environments in a variety of

compositions of samples in the ternary germanium-

antimony-tellurium system. (paesler@ncsu.edu)

J. E. (Jack) Rowe Prof. Rowe’s group uses measurements that include

scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force

microscopy (AFM), low energy electron diffraction

(LEED), and soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy

(SXPS) including results with synchrotron radiation

(SR-SXPS) and with spin detection. A major goal of

this research program is to study the initial surface and

buried-interface processes of electronic materials at

the nanoscale. The synchrotron photoemission-based

methods can measure threshold energy barriers and

core levels due to 2D interface bonding which are

sometimes spatially resolved. (rowe@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly (see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program

office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Optics

Overview

The optics group at North Carolina State University

investigates a broad range of topics from X-rays to

millimeter waves, nanoscale to the upper atmosphere,

and the fundamental interactions of light and matter to

applied optics. Some pioneering advances by the optics

group include testing the first blue laser diode fabricated

in America, building the most frequently copied X-ray

microscope, inventing reflectance difference

spectroscopy, producing the first nano-Raman images,

and developing Raman lidar. Several recent projects

include X-ray microscopy, nonlinear optics, solar cell

studies, materials growth monitoring, ultrafast optics and

wavelength diversity, resonance Raman scattering,

optimizing lidar for temporal and spatial resolution,

near-field techniques, and fluorescence imaging.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Harald Ade Prof. Ade’s group uses the scanning transmission X-ray

microscope at the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley.

It was built by a team led by the Ade group and has the

distinction of being the most frequently copied X-ray

microscope. Significant research efforts are directed in

the area of resonant soft X-ray scattering, which is the

small angle X-ray scattering equivalent near an

absorption edge such as C, N, or O. It provides vastly

improved capabilities for soft matter characterization. By

tuning the photon energy, the reflection from the top

surface of a polymer bilayer can be “turned off” and the

structure of the buried interface can be studied.

Knowledge about the complex index of refraction and

how it impacts scattering is important for data

interpretation. (harald_ade@ncsu.edu)

David Aspnes Research in Prof. Aspnes’ group consists of a mix of

theory and experiment. The laboratory is equipped with

several spectroscopic ellipsometers, one operating in the

vacuum ultraviolet, one in the standard quartz-optics

range, and one integrated into an organometallic

chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) system. The

OMCVD system also allows the study of epitaxial

growth of materials systems and is unique in this regard.

The theory component is directed towards a better

understanding of the interaction of light with material,

and solving continuing outstanding problems of optics.

Recent theoretical work includes the anisotropic bond

model of nonlinear optics, which provides a simple

physical interpretation of nonlinear-optical phenomena;

optics of nanostructured materials for materials analysis;

and plasmonics, specifically understanding plasmonic

responses of thin conducting-oxide films.

(david_aspnes@ncsu.edu)

Laura Clarke Prof. Clarke's research group seeks to apply traditional

optical tools in novel ways for the study of nanoscale

physics and surface science. Fundamentally, light is used

to prepare and control systems, as well as a means to

elegantly elucidate the underlying physics. Some recent

projects include fluorescence anisotropy and dielectric

spectroscopy measurements to deduce the rotational

dynamics of sub-monolayer assemblies of surface-bound

molecules, and fluorescence imaging for optimizing

scaling-up electrospinning approaches. Other recent

work involves utilizing the photothermal effect of metal

nanoparticles doped into materials to act as nanoscale

heaters and simultaneously performing a sensitive,

spectrally-resolved fluorescence technique for real-time,

in-situ nano-thermometry measurements.

(laura_clarke@ncsu.edu)

Kenan Gundogdu Prof. Gundogdu’s research investigates electronic and

structural dynamics in condensed matter systems using

nonlinear optical spectroscopy. His group has developed

coherent and incoherent ultrafast optical experiments to

study electron/exciton dynamics in the interfaces of

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

organic/inorganic hybrid structures. Some important

questions include the role of coherent/incoherent exciton

transport in photovoltaic structures, how dynamic and

static disorder affect coherent energy transport, how

energy transport occurs in interfaces involving inorganic

and organic materials, and the nature of excitons in such

hybrid materials. In addition, nonlinear optical

techniques are used to investigate bond-specific

structural dynamics of interface formation during

semiconductor growth. (kenan_gundogdu@ncsu.edu)

Hans Hallen Prof. Hallen leads a research group with an emphasis on

optics, particularly spectroscopy, the interaction of

electromagnetic fields near nano-scale conductors, and

scattering by small particles. He also has projects in

modeling and measurements of wireless

communications channels. He led the group that

produced the first nano-Raman images, and identified

new physics in nanoscale optical spectroscopy. Work

also has investigated on-resonance deep ultraviolet

resonance Raman spectroscopy. This will find

applicability in nano-Raman and trace substance analysis

in lidar, another interest of the group. Topics in lidar

research include multi-wavelength spectroscopy,

scattering by small aerosols as measured by multistatic

lidar, and resonance techniques.

(hans_hallen@ncsu.edu)

Russell Philbrick Prof. Philbrick’s research focuses on developing laser

remote sensing techniques and investigations using lidar

for studies of the properties and processes of the lower

atmosphere. The primary research has centered on

developing Raman lidar for investigations of

meteorology, air pollution physics, atmospheric effects

on radar refraction, and trace species measurements. Dr.

Philbrick led the EPA sponsored NARSTO-NEOPS

project to investigate processes governing the

development of air pollution episodes. He has also

served as the principal technical advisor for lidar

projects that have been developed by the government for

the detection of hazardous chemicals. Current research

goals are centered on improving the sensitivity of remote

sensing using lidar with wideband sources, multi-static

detection, resonance Raman scattering processes, and

measurements of aerosol properties from scatter of

polarized laser beams. (philbrick@ncsu.edu)

Robert Riehn Prof. Riehn is interested in the use of optical

technologies in biological analysis. A first direction,

undertaken together with Prof. Hallen, aims at using

resonant near-field optical structure for Raman

spectroscopy of complexes of DNA and proteins. These

complexes are relevant to cancer biology and embryonic

development. A second direction is the integration of

optical methods with lab-on-a-chip analyses. The main

emphasis is the use of optical methods to prepare and

separate chromosomes from whole biological specimens

for biological analysis. Furthermore investigations are

being done to integrate near-field optics with nanofluidic

devices. (rriehn@ncsu.edu)

Keith Weninger Prof. Weninger develops new optics methodologies for

application to molecular biophysics. He builds

instruments with the capability to perform optical

spectroscopy and polarization sensitive measurements

on samples as small as single molecules. Near-field

dipole coupling between two fluorescent moieties (a

phenomena known as resonance energy transfer) enables

sensitive spectroscopic measurements to report

nanoscale distances within biological molecules. This

approach allows dynamic motions of these molecules to

be recorded in real time. (keith_weninger@ncsu.edu)

282.4 eV, calculations

Si

Si

282.4 eV, calculations

SiSi

SiSi

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the optics group webpage, www.physics.ncsu.edu/optics.

Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-

program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Organic Electronic Materials

Overview

Organic molecules are used in a variety of thin-film devices such as new high-definition television sets. Future organic electronics may have new functionality such as in solar cells for electrical power and spin-dependent properties with higher performance. An important advantage of organic-molecule devices is the ability to manufacture devices with methods easily compatible with existing manufacturing and therefore the possibility of new features at lower cost than previous generations of devices. However, there is a need for better understanding of the fundamental physics of the device mechanisms of organic-molecule systems. This research is being carried out by members of the organic electronic materials group at NC State.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Kenan Gundogdu Prof. Gundogdu’s research focuses on the study of

electron dynamics in organics and their interfaces with

inorganic materials. Ultrafast optical techniques are

used to characterize electronic coupling, charge

transfer, exciton diffusion, and many body

interactions with femtosecond time resolution. These

studies quantify how interface morphology and

electronic energy level alignments impact dynamics,

which are very important for organic optoelectronic

device structures. (kenan_gundogdu@ncsu.edu)

Harald Ade Photovoltaics are well known and promising

technologies to solve future energy needs and to,

maybe more importantly, reduce emissions of CO2, a

major greenhouse gas. In several tens of minutes,

energy from the sun is enough to cover the yearly total

requirement for the world. The potential of

photovoltaics is even larger than that of biofuels, as

arid areas can be successfully utilized for energy

creation. The Ade research group is using advanced

synchrotron radiation based characterization tools,

such as X-ray microscopy and resonant scattering, to

better understand the function of organic solar cells.

Additionally, the advanced synchrotron radiation tools

are used to characterize organic light emitting diodes

and organic thin film transistors. The Ade group is a

world leader in the development and use of these

methods. (harald_ade@ncsu.edu)

Dan Dougherty Prof. Dougherty’s research group focuses on

measurements of the local electronic properties of

nanostructured surfaces using ultrahigh vacuum

scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. A

significant fraction of this work addresses how

molecular self-assembly at interfaces and molecular

Interactions between nuclear spins in complex

molecules (A,B) and between oppositely spin polarized electron hole pairs in a semiconductor (C).

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

structure in films determines the energies of electronic

transport states. In addition, the group has developed

the capability to carry out spin polarized STM/STS for

the purpose of understanding the interaction between

magnetic surfaces and adsorbed molecules. These

fundamental experiments provide the scientific

foundation for optimizing applications of organic

molecular materials in electronic and spintronic

devices. (dan_dougherty@ncsu.edu)

Self assembled monolayer of benzoate on Cu(110)

J. E. (Jack) Rowe Prof. Rowe’s group uses measurements that include

scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force

microscopy (AFM), low energy electron diffraction

(LEED); soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy

(SXPS) including results with synchrotron radiation

(SR-SXPS) and with spin detection. A major goal of

this research program is to study the initial surface and

buried-interface processes of electronic materials at

the nanoscale. Photoemission-based methods can

measure threshold energy barriers (sometimes these

are spatially resolved). One example of these studies

is the organic-molecule system of a nickel

phthalocyanine (NiPc) film on a Au(001) surface.

SR-SXPS results from these studies are shown in the

figure below. The HOMO (2a1u) shifts between 1.4

and 3 Å indicates that the barrier is not fully formed

until ~3 Å. Future experiments will also measure XPS

levels such as C-1s, Ni-2p, and Au-4f.

(rowe@ncsu.edu)

ARUPS valence orbitals of NiPc on a Au(001) surface at ~300 K. Bottom vertical lines show gas-phase data IP’s.

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more by visiting the faculty web pages. Prospective students can contact

any faculty member directly (see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-

program@ncsu.edu.

Constant current tunneling spectrum (tip displacement versus gap voltage) showing the π* derived resonance

of a single Alq3 molecule on Cu(110). Inset is a quantum mechanical calculation of the π* orbital shape.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Physics Education Research & Development

Overview

The PER&D group at North Carolina State University

investigates a broad range of topics relating to the

teaching and learning of physics. These include the

study of cognition during problem solving, difficulties

with the right hand rule, how students use computer

simulations to build conceptual understanding,

modernizing the content and pedagogical approaches

of introductory courses, assessing student conceptual

understanding, the use of technology inside and

outside the classroom, and the dissemination of a

radically reformed learning environment. We are the

home of the leading journal in the field, Physical

Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research

and we house the best qualitative education research

lab of any science department in the world.

Our group has been funded by the National Science

Foundation, the Department of Education, the Spencer

Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, and Pasco. We have

ties with the University’s STEM Education Initiative

and share lab facilities with them. Our faculty, staff,

and student offices are located in Riddick Hall.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Robert Beichner Prof. Beichner’s research focuses on increasing our

understanding of student learning and the

improvement of physics education. Working from a

base of National Science Foundation and computer

industry support, he invented the popular “video-

based lab” approach for introductory physics

laboratories. A spinoff from the award-winning

VideoGraph project was a study of how people’s

visual perception of motion can best be utilized in

instructional animations. In a separate project, Dr.

Beichner and his students have written a series of tests

aimed at diagnosing students’ misconceptions about a

variety of introductory physics topics. These tests are

used by teachers and researchers around the world.

His biggest current project is the creation and study of

a classroom environment supporting interactive,

collaborative learning called SCALE-UP: Student-

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Centered Active Learning Environment for

Undergraduate Programs. The approach has been

adopted at more than 100 schools, including MIT,

Minnesota, and Clemson. The SCALE-UP project is

part of Dr. Beichner’s efforts to reform physics

instruction at a national level. Probably his most

visible work along those lines has been the textbook

that he co-authored with Raymond Serway. The 5th

edition of Physics for Scientists and Engineers was

the top-selling introductory calculus-based physics

book in the nation, and was used by more than a third

of all science, math, and engineering majors. Several

years ago he created the PER-CENTRAL website,

establishing an electronic “home base” for the Physics

Education Research community. He is also the

founding editor of the American Physical Society

journal Physical Review Special Topics - Physics

Education Research. For his education reform efforts

he was named the 2009 North Carolina Professor of

the Year and the 2010 National Undergraduate

Science Teacher of the Year. Since 2007 he has been

the Director of NC State’s STEM Education Initiative,

with a mission to study and improve STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math) education from

“K to Gray” in North Carolina and around the world.

(beichner@ncsu.edu)

Michael Paesler After a career spanning several physics sub-

disciplines, Prof. Paesler has turned his attention to

Physics Education Research. In a program supported

by the university’s Large Course Redesign effort, he is

studying the role of teaching laboratories in general

undergraduate physics instruction. This effort, which

is designed to enhance education in the department’s

many gateway course offerings, allows his group to

develop a so-called kit lab program for calculus based

elementary physics courses. Kit labs allow students to

be more independently involved in their course

laboratories by creating small student teams that

conduct their teaching laboratory extramurally rather

than in a confined laboratory setting. Through the

creation of transportable kit labs that are checked out

by students during their regular laboratory time slots,

the effort tracks the impact of the laboratory on these

students as well as a control groups performing

similar – if not identical – experiments in more

traditional laboratory sections. Through the careful

construction and implementation of an assessment

instrument, the program is designed to determine the

role of delivery system on the educational value of the

laboratory experience. (paesler@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the physics education research and development group

webpage, www.ncsu.edu/per. Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly (see email addresses

above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Quantum Optics and Atom Cooling

JETLAB – John E. Thomas (john_thomas@ncsu.edu)

Overview

In the field of quantum optics, researchers explore the

fundamental interactions of light with matter. At

JETLAB, we investigate both the classical and

quantum properties of light, developing novel

methods for all-optical control, precision

measurement, and imaging of ultra-cold atomic

gases and nano-mechanical systems.

Accomplishments of our program include the

development of quantum resonance imaging methods

for moving atoms, which can achieve Heisenberg

uncertainty principle limited spatial resolution. By

utilizing quantum concepts in classical light

measurements, we devised novel tissue imaging

methods providing maximum information by

measuring Wigner phase-space (position-momentum)

distributions for scattered classical light fields. We

have also made precision measurements of phase-

dependent quantum noise and squeezing in the

radiation field of driven two-level atoms. Our recent

experiments explore ultra-cold, strongly interacting

atomic Fermi gases.

Atom Cooling: Strongly Interacting Fermi Gas Since 1997, the JETLAB group has focused on all-

optical trapping and cooling of neutral atoms. Our

research has led to the ultra-stable all-optical trap and

all-optical evaporative cooling of an atomic Fermi gas

to degeneracy. Using these new methods, our group

was the first to create and observe a degenerate,

strongly interacting atomic Fermi gas [O’Hara et al.,

Science, 298, 2179 (2002)].

As described in more detail below, strongly

interacting Fermi gases are now used as models for

exotic, strongly interacting, quantum systems in

nature, enabling precision tests of state-of-the-art

predictions in fields from high temperature

superconductors to neutron matter, quark-gluon

plasmas, and even string theory.

Our experiments employ a mixture of spin-½-up and

spin-½-down 6Li atoms confined in the focus of a CO2

laser optical trap.

Pictured above is approximately ¼ of a billion atoms at several hundred micro-Kelvin contained in our magneto-optical trap (MOT). The MOT takes advantage of resonant interactions between light and matter, and is a precursor to the all-optical production of a degenerate Fermi gas. Since the MOT employs resonant light, the atoms can be observed by the naked eye as they are constantly absorbing and emitting light.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Hydrodynamic expansion: Elliptic Flow and Perfect Fluidity Released from a cigar-shaped optical trap, the gas

expands rapidly in one direction, while remaining

nearly stationary in the other direction. This so-called

elliptic flow was first observed by our group in 2002

and is a feature shared with a quark-gluon plasma

(QGP), a state of matter that existed microseconds

after the Big Bang, and recreated in heavy ion

experiments.

A recent conjecture from the string theory community

defines a perfect normal fluid (not a superfluid) as one

with a minimum ratio of shear viscosity to entropy

density. For the Fermi gas, we directly measure the

entropy and the shear viscosity, as functions of the

energy and temperature. Although a QGP is 19 orders

of magnitude hotter and 25 orders of magnitude more

dense than an ultra-cold atomic Fermi gas, both

systems are nearly perfect fluids.

Nonlinear Quantum Hydrodynamics: Shock Waves The repulsive potential of a focused green laser beam

slices a trapped Fermi gas into two pieces.

Extinguishing the green beam, the two pieces collide

in the optical trap, producing shock waves, manifested

in the sharp edges appearing in the density. These

experiments provide a new paradigm for exploring

nonlinear quantum hydrodynamics, with magnetically

tunable strong interactions in both the normal and

superfluid regimes.

Experiments at JETLAB

Current and planned experiments include quantum-

confined Fermi gases in two-dimensional standing-

wave traps, universal transport and bulk viscosity in

the strongly interacting regime, generation and control

of atomic spin current, optical control of interactions

and dispersion, and non-equilibrium dynamics. We

are also very interested in the application of optical

cooling techniques and quantum measurement

methods to control and study nano-mechanical

systems, such as membranes, cantilevers and rotors.

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to visit the JETLAB webpage, www.phy.duke.edu/research/photon/qoptics.

This contains a link to the new location of JETLAB at NC State University. Prospective students can contact Prof.

John Thomas directly (john_thomas@ncsu.edu) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Soft Matter Physics

Overview

Soft matter physics addresses the mechanics and

dynamics of the many biologically- and industrially-

relevant materials which are neither ordinary liquids

nor crystalline solids. Such material include polymers,

colloids, membranes, gels, fiber networks, granular

materials, and lipid layers. Many such systems are

inherently non-equilibrium and commonly exhibit

glassy dynamics. Our research typically relies heavily

on statistical mechanics to capture the heterogeneous

and fluctuating behavior of these materials. In many

cases, the work is interdisciplinary, and involves

collaboration with biophysicists, chemists, materials

scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Below, we

describe the experiments and numerical simulations

currently underway in the department. In addition,

related projects are described on the Biophysics research page. Jointly, these researchers host the

Complex Matter and Biophysics seminar series which

allows both students and visiting scientists to share

their recent research results.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Harald Ade The Ade research group is developing and using

advanced synchrotron radiation based tools to

determine the composition, morphology and structure

of soft mater at the nanoscale. Characterization is

achieved by Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine

Structure (NEXAFS) microscopy and Resonant Soft

X-ray Reflectivity and Scattering. The latter methods

hold great promise as characterization tools for

organic materials in general and soft condensed mater

in particular. Most present applications are focused on

the quantitative mapping of the chemical composition

and the orientation of specific chemical groups in

multi-component polymeric devices, their interface

structure and their structure-property relationships.

Other interests include fundamental polymer science

of polymer/polymer interfaces, the dynamics of

chemical reactions across interfaces, determining

strain in chemisorbed polymers on surfaces, and the

development of novel fabrication methods of organic

devices. Extension of the soft x-ray methods to

characterize biomolecular systems, in particular model

membranes and their dynamics, are also explored.

(harald_ade@ncsu.edu)

Laura Clarke Prof. Clarke's research group studies several soft-

matter systems, among them percolation in confined

geometries, glass-like systems of polymers on

surfaces and the fluid dynamics of electrospinning.

Electrospinning is a technique that produces polymer

fibers which can be nanoscale in diameter (~200 nm)

and macroscale in length (~10 cm). The Clarke group

studies how to scale up this fabrication technique by

understanding the interacting fluid and electrostatic

forces and how composite (polymer plus conducting

particles) materials function (electrical and

mechanical properties) in such confined geometries.

(laura_clarke@ncsu.edu)

Karen Daniels The Daniels research group performs experiments on

the nonlinear and nonequilibrium dynamics of

granular materials, fluids, and gels. For granular

materials, a central theme is how to describe bulk

dynamics based on particle-scale measurements, by

analogy with the statistical mechanics of ordinary

materials. Prof. Daniels’ lab has developed a number

of novel approaches, including particle-scale acoustics

measurements combining high-speed photoelastic

imaging with piezoelectric transducers embedded in

granular particles and the fluorescent tracking of

spreading lipid layers. Several of these projects are

performed in close collaborations with

mathematicians, devising continuum models, and with

geophysicists, seeking to better-understand how

earthquakes and faults arise from granular shear

zones. (karen_daniels@ncsu.edu)

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Daniel Dougherty Prof. Dougherty’s research group uses high resolution

scanned probe microscopy (STM and AFM) to image

the surface structure and nanometer scale morphology

of organic molecular films and self assembled

monolayers. Growth of these structures is carried out

in the group using both vacuum deposition and

solution chemistry. It typically involves complex,

nonequilibrium processes in which multiple

intermolecular interactions (often comparable in

strength) compete to determine the final structure.

Experiments at NC State that directly observe and

quantitatively describe these complex processes push

the boundaries of statistical physics and are crucial for

optimizing applications of molecular films to

electronics technology. (dan_dougherty@ncsu.edu)

Hans Hallen Prof. Hallen and his group have developed a technique

to deposit nano-defined laterally in-surface-plane

oriented organic materials. It is based on a split-tip

optical probe that the group developed. Electrical

characterization and optimization of these materials

and new device opportunities they may enable are of

current interest. (hans_hallen@ncsu.edu)

Shuang Fang Lim Prof. Lim’s work focuses on DNA methylation

analysis and chromatin histone modifications of rare

earth doped nanoparticles. These particles emit in the

visible when excited in the near infrared. Her research

includes synthesis of nanoparticles, bioconjugation,

their photophysics and bio-applications such as

biosensors and biotherapeutic agents.

(sflim@ncsu.edu)

Robert Riehn Prof. Riehn is interested in the physics of biological

polymers in nano-scale environments. In particular,

DNA can be efficiently manipulated by confining it to

channels with a cross-section that is on the order of

the DNA persistence length (50 nm). By studying the

dynamics of single DNA molecules inside systems of

these channels, he is able to test fundamental

assumptions of standard theory of polymeric solids.

This model views the motion of single chains as a

“reptation” of this molecule through a forest of tubes

formed by the other strands that make up the solid.

Based on experimental insights into the dynamics of

DNA in tailored nanofluidic systems, he plans to

design functional polymer nanodevices. Dr. Riehn is

further interested in the interaction of ions and

polyelectrolytes in electric fields. He is also working

on the transition from thermal to athermal regimes in

microfluidics. (rriehn@ncsu.edu)

Christopher Roland and Celeste Sagui The Roland and Sagui research group studies several

polymer and biophysical systems using computer

models. For example, self-assembled domain patterns

formed by result of competing short-range attractive

and long-range repulsive interactions often result in

metastable or glassy states. These patterns could one

day see application as templates for the fabrication of

nanostructures. Of particular biophysical interest is the

ability to accurately evaluate the free energy within a

biomolecular simulation. Recent work has shown the

efficacy of adaptively biased molecular dynamics

methods in quantifying the transition pathways

connecting different minima in simulations of

polyproline peptides.

(cmroland@ncsu.edu, sagui@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the individual web pages of each faculty member, for

which links are provided at www.physics.ncsu.edu Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly

(see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Theoretical Nuclear and Particle Physics

Overview

The theoretical nuclear and particle physics group at

North Carolina State University investigates a broad

range of topics relating to the fundamental interactions

of matter. These include the study of quantum

chromodynamics, the quark structure of mesons and

baryons, hadronic interactions, hadronic matter under

extreme conditions, nuclear structure, photonuclear

reactions, heavy ion collisions, cold atomic systems,

superfluidity, viscous hydrodynamics, electroweak

symmetry breaking, neutrino mixing, neutrino

interactions with nucleons and nuclei, stellar

evolution, supernovae, nucleosynthesis, the early

universe, tests of the standard model, light-front

quantization, effective field theory, and non-

perturbative lattice methods.

Our group is funded by the Department of Energy.

We have ties with the nearby Thomas Jefferson

National Accelerator, with funding opportunities from

the Southeastern Universities Research Association

available for qualified graduate students. Together

with Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, our group co-hosts

the weekly Triangle Universities Nuclear Theory

(TNT) seminar series. We also co-host the NC State

physics theory seminar. Our faculty, staff, and student

offices are located in Riddick Hall.

Faculty Members and Research Interests

Stephen Cotanch Prof. Cotanch’s research centers on theoretical studies

of hadronic and nuclear structure. His goal is to yield

deeper insight by confronting field theoretic

calculations that incorporate important symmetries

with precision data from accelerators such as Jefferson

Lab. His program includes developing improved

renormalizable QCD models incorporating chiral

symmetry, the phenomenology of hybrid mesons and

glueballs, electromagnetic studies of strangeness in

protons and nuclei, and many-body techniques for

hadronic physics. (cotanch@ncsu.edu)

Carla Fröhlich Prof. Fröhlich's research covers a range of topics

including astrophysical nuclear reactions, the stellar

evolution of massive stars, the composition of core

collapse supernova ejecta, radioactive abundances of

stellar debris in protosolar nebula, and nucleosynthesis

processes such as rapid neutron capture (r-process)

and antineutrino-proton absorption (neutrino-p-

process). She is also interested in computational

simulations of supernova explosions and the roles of

nuclear structure, plasma dynamics, and neutrino

cross sections and transport. Other research interests

include galactic chemical evolution and abundances in

metal-poor stars. (carla_frohlich@ncsu.edu)

.NC STATE Physics. www.physics.ncsu.edu

Chueng-Ryong Ji Prof. Ji focuses on theoretical predictions for the

structure and spectra of ordinary, strange, charm, and

bottom mesons and baryons. This includes exotic

molecular aspects as well as glueball components. To

construct a realistic quark/gluon model of hadrons

consistent with experimental data, relativity is

explicitly realized by taking into account the

symmetries of the lightcone, unitarity, duality, and the

discrete symmetries C, P, and T. One primary interest

is to investigate the nonperturbative vacuum of QCD

using many body techniques and effective field

theory. (chueng_ji@ncsu.edu)

James Kneller Prof. Kneller’s research focuses upon neutrino

astrophysics and nucleosynthesis at different epochs

in the history of the universe from the Big Bang

through to the present day. In recent years he has paid

particular attention to the evolving flavor composition

of neutrinos as they propagate through supernovae and

how various mechanisms that drive that evolution

manifest themselves in the signal we expect to

observe when we next detect the burst from a galactic

supernova. From this signal he hopes to tease out the

unknown properties of the neutrino such as the

ordering of the neutrino masses, the size of the last

mixing angle and the CP phase. Other interests

include Big Bang nucleosynthesis, cosmic ray

spallation and cosmic and galactic chemical evolution.

(jim_kneller@ncsu.edu)

Dean Lee Prof. Lee’s research includes topics in quantum few-

and many-body systems and field theory. He is

interested in effective field theory, lattice methods for

few- and many-body systems, quantum Monte Carlo,

nuclear and neutron matter, nuclei, cold atomic gases,

spontaneous symmetry breaking, Bose-Einstein

condensation, and superfluidity.

(dean_lee@ncsu.edu)

Gail McLaughlin Prof. McLaughlin’s research is in theoretical nuclear

and particle astrophysics. She studies the way in

which nuclear reactions and subatomic particles affect

astrophysical objects and vice-versa. She is

particularly interested in supernovae, which are the

end states of massive stars, and gamma ray bursts,

which still have an unknown origin. For example, she

studies how detecting neutrinos from supernovae

could tell us both about the conditions in supernovae

and also about fundamental properties of neutrinos.

She is also interested in how and where elements are

formed. (gail_mclaughlin@ncsu.edu)

Thomas Schaefer

Prof. Schaefer’s research interests include the QCD

phase diagram, color superconductivity, the behavior

of matter under extreme conditions, kaon

condensation, large-Nc QCD, high-density effective

theory, instantons, heavy ion collisisons, cold atomic

gases, viscous hydrodynamics, transport properties,

many body theory, and hadronic physics.

(thomas_schaefer@ncsu.edu)

Further Information

We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the theoretical nuclear and particle physics group webpage,

www.physics.ncsu.edu/ntg. Prospective students can contact any faculty member directly (see email addresses

above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.