Nuclear/Particle Physics

http://physics.skku.ac.kr
Natural Sciences Campus
Department of Physics, Sungkyunkwan University
Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea

VISION
Sungkyunkwan
University
Physics
Research Group
Produce Creative Research
Activities from Fundamental
Physics
Dedicate Creative
Knowledge to Applied
Physics
Research :
A Leading
Graduate School
in Research
Fundamental Basic
Research Program
Advanced Technology
Development Program
Education :
Human
Resources
Development
Nuclear/
Particle Physics
Track
Condensed
Matter/
Statistical Physics
Acoustics Track
Nano Physics
Track
Department of Physics
Sungkyunkwan University

Overview : Some Statistics in 2007
Nuclear /
Particle Physics : 7
Nanophysics : 7
Number of Faculties
in Major Research Areas
Condensed Matter /
Statistical Physics &
Acoustics: 9
Faculty members : 23
Research Professors : 14
Number of Researchers
Graduate Students: 102
Post-doctoral
Fellows : 15
Number of Students
Undergraduate Students: 121
Research Grants &
Journal Publications
Total Amount of
Research Grants:
US $ 4.9 M
Number of Journal
Publications per Year: 223

Main Research Fields
Nuclear/Particle Physics
Research Field :
Nuclear Physics / Elementary Particle Physics / Quantum Field theory / Cosmology /
String theory / Astroparticle Physics / Astronuclear Physics / Nuclear Applications
Research Laboratory
Nuclear Physics Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Byung-Taik Kim, Dr. Seung-Woo Hong)
Elementary Particle and Nuclear Physics Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Young-Il Choi)
Particle Physics Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Phillial Oh, Dr. Yoonbai Kim)
High Energy Physics Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Intae Yu)
Particle Physics Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Suyong Choi)
Condensed Matter/Statistical Physics & Acoustics
Research Field :
Many-Body System / Phase Transition and Criticality / Spectroscopy /
Superconductivity / Semiconductor / Magnetic Materials / Surface Physics /
Low Temperature Physics / Acoustics
Research Laboratory
Acoustics Research Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Suk Wang Yoon)
Low Temperature Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Mu-Yong Choi)
Condensed Matter Physics Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Han-Yong Choi)
Magnetism & Magnetic Materials Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Yong Seung Kwon)
Magnetic Materials Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Je-Geun Park)
Manybody Physics Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Jung Hoon Han)
Statistical Physics Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Beom Jun Kim)
Superconductivity & Thin Film Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Won Nam Kang)
Extreme Physical Science Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Tuson Park)
Nanophysics
Research Field :
Nanomaterial Fabrication / Nanoscience Applications / Bioelectronic devices / Nanobiophysics
Research Laboratory
Nanophysics Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Chong-Yun Park)
Carbon Nanotube Research Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Young Hee Lee)
Semiconductor and Nano Application Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Donggeun Jung)
Magneto-photonics Research Lab. (Theory) (Dr. Joo Yull Rhee)
Nanoscience Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Dae Joon Kang)
Nanotechnology Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Jong Real Ahn)
Applied DNA NanoEngineering Lab. (Experiment) (Dr. Sung Ha Park)
For more information, visit a research laboratory webpage,
http://physics.skku.ac.kr/laboratory/laboratory1_e.asp/

Key Research Centers Related to the Department
BK21 Physics Research Division
Director, Prof. Young Hee Lee
BK21 Physics Research Division consists of 3 teams (Nuclear/Particle Physics, Condensed
Matter/Statistical Physics, and Nanophysics Groups) with emphasis on quality education and
excellent research.
Goals of BK21 program are human resources development, cultivate leading graduate
schools in research and cooperation with various industries.
BK21 program is supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Center for Nanotubes and Nanostructured Composites(CNNC)
Director, Prof. Chong-Yun Park
The major research focuses on the fundamental studies related to the clarification and the
understanding of new physical and chemical phenomena in nanomaterials and nanostructured
composites, and utilizing their unique properties for commercial applications, building the basis of
nanotechnology.
CNNC was established in 2001 as a part of the upbringing programs of Korea Science &
Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) for Science Research Centers.
Basic Atomic Energy Research Institute (BAERI)
Director, Prof. Seung-Woo Hong
The institute was established in 2006 as a basic research center for nuclear technology development
supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The institute is dedicated to the understanding of how matters change in the environment of
various different types of radiations.
Simulations and visualization of effects of radiation on matter are the major issues studied in the
institute. We also perform microscopic measurements and studies of changes of matter such as
magnetic materials, superconductors and semiconductors due to radiation.
Financial Aid for Graduate Students in the Department
Simsan Scholarship(2.6%)
TA/RA & AP
Scholarships(8%)
Gyeonggi Province
Matching Fund(7.8%)
BK21 Scholarship(34%)
Scholarship for Graduate
Students in the Department of
Physics in 2007
(US $ 1.6 M)
Semiconductor System
Scholarship(1.8%)
Science and Engineering
Scholarship(0.8%)
Research Scholarship
Fund(45%)
Average Stipend per Graduate Student: US $1.5 K/month
For undergraduate students, there are various types of scholarships available and
almost all foreign students will be provided with scholarships.
For more information, visit http://www.skku.edu/eng

About Sungkyunkwan University
The Sungkyunkwan University is synonymous with both tradition and innovation in education
and research in Korea. The University faculty members of more than 1,000 are committed to
quality teaching and research, offering students a challenging environment for intellectual and
personal growth. Sungkyunkwan was founded in 1398 by royal decree to promote the
scholarship in Confucianism.
As Korea modernized and underwent social and economic reforms during 1950s, Old
Sungkyunkwan underwent a transition to a private university. Though a long history alone
cannot guarantee the excellence of an institution, the rich culture, which exudes from a long
tradition, is surely a unique and valuable asset of the University. The University operates two
campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in Seoul and the Natural Sciences
Campus in Suwon. Tradition and modernity coexist in Suwon; the World Cultural Heritage,
Hwaseong, is located nearby and high-tech industries like Samsung are spreading around
harmoniously.
The headquarter of Samsung Electronics, which is one of the leaders of silicon-based industries
is located in Suwon. With these invaluable resources, Suwon is known as a Silicon Valley in
Korea. The University has a strong interconnection with Samsung Electronics, Samsung
Advanced Institute of Technology, and Gyeonggi Province NanoFab for the intensive
collaboration and mutual interests. Consequently as a contemporary center of higher education,
the University is well located in pursuit of excellence in a broad range of Science and Technology.
With a successful partnership with the Samsung Foundation since 1996, the University has
been further developed. With Samsung’s management capability and lavish financial support,
the University has repositioned itself as a specialized research-oriented university. The
University has opened up a possibility to become one of the most prestigious universities and
is striving to become one of the leading universities in the world.

Student Profiles in the Department
Hoang Anh Tuan Kiet
A Post-Doc. Researcher, Dept. Alumi, Nationality: Vietnam
Sungkyunkwan University physics department offers an outstanding academic
and professional environment for students and researchers. Interacting with
and learning from the excellent faculty members with various research and
professional backgrounds help me tremendously enhance competent
knowledge. Professors and staffs are very dedicated to their students. The
research and experimental facilities are modern and convenient to develop
students the practical abilities. Seminar and class approach make the curriculum particularly
appealing that develop students’ intellectual and creative capabilities. These make SKKU a truly top
in Korea and Asia. I highly appreciate the professors and the rewarding experience in SKKU. SKKU
is striving to become one of the leading universities in the world.
Danielle Rhen
A Ph.d. Grad. Student, Nationality: USA
The SKKU physics department’s main focus is research which ranges from
experimental particle physics to theoretical solid state physics and has
produced many top-level papers, in world class journals. I am very happy with
my choice and feel that this is a very enthusiastic and exciting environment,
equipped with the experimental systems and talent necessary for making
fundamental contributions to important and internationally competitive
research. My experience here has been very warm and motivating as well as challenging.
Additionally I have been given many opportunities to collaborate with national laboratories and
international universities thus creating a global network for my career. After having been a student at
various schools around the world and noting SKKU’s strong collaborations with some of the world’s
best institutions, I am sure that SKKU physics department is, or will soon be, one of the top
departments in Asia and eventually in the world.
Junghoon Kim
A Ph.d. Grad. Student, Nationality: Korea
Hi, my name is Junghoon Kim. I am working on the theoretical aspects of
frustrated spin systems. Frustration is a phenomenon which arises when all
the interactions of a system cannot be simultaneously satisfied. One of the
reasons for this is due to the underlying lattice itself, as in the case of the
pyrochlore lattice, a repetitious arrangement of corner sharing tetrahedra. This
can give rise to many different orders in the system and lead to exotic phases,
one of which is the long sought-after spin liquid phase. Research in our group is very demanding but
also very fulfilling. We employ analytical as well as computational methods to conduct our research.
The students, professors, and researchers here are highly ardent about their work but not to the
point where they don't share their time with others, for they are also very friendly and approachable.
My overall experience here is one that I can confidently say I could not have gained anywhere else.

Many people ask me about my specialty in University. When I answer that I am a physicist, they
immediately responded that I must be a genius and they look at me with a kind of awe. I believe this
feeling of awe includes some degrees of respect because physics is beyond the capacity of
understanding to most people. This sort of misunderstanding originates from our attitudes towards
students. In old days, science belonged to noble class who has enough time to think without worrying
about their living with money. This tradition extends even nowadays to ourselves. Professors simply
sit in the office and wait for students to come to discuss. We do not open our door to students with
warm heart or even don’t welcome them coming into our territory. Instead we pretend that we know
everything and hide ourselves with authority rather than scientific truth. This builds a great wall
against students causing science to become a holy field of respect without understanding the core.
As a research scientist, not as a chairman of the department, I like to welcome students to SKKU
undergraduate and graduate schools with warmest heart. Those who have a brave heart to share our
society s burden and are willing to contribute their passion to develop new fundamental knowledge
and advanced technology, are all welcome to our department. We do not need a genius. We do need
students who can say, yes, I will try, when someone says, no, that is impossible.
I do admit that physics requires hard working students mainly because the amount of works to master
during undergraduate and graduate course works is enormous. This may be a good excuse for
students to be scared off from physics. However, if you like to challenge in science and if you dare to
dream, I do encourage you to enter our department and to spend your life with passion in
understanding nature and challenging yet unsolved problems in science and engineering.
I am looking forward to seeing you in the Department of Physics at Sungkyunkwan University in near
future.
Yours Sincerely,
Message
From the Chair, Prof. Young Hee Lee
To Prospective Degree-Seeking Student :
If you would like to apply for Undergraduate Degree and Graduate Program in Physics Department at
Sungkyunkwan University, you may drop by school admission office’s webpage,
http://www.skku.edu/eng