Physics Graduate Brochure - Physics - North Carolina State University

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 

Financial Support 

Force Chains in Granular Material 

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 





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 



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 





Astrophysics 

Blondin•Borkowski•Brown•Ellison•Fröhlich•Kneller•Lazzati•McLaughlin•Reynolds 

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 threedimensional 

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 spacebased 

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 


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 heavyelement 

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 pulsarwind 

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 micrograins 

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 nonlinear 

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. 


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 





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. 

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 probebased 

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) 

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 


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 


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) 


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. 





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. 


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 



to exotic neutron scattering instruments. His current 

experimental work is focused on ultracold neutrons, 

3 He 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 3 He 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) 


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. 





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, mesoscale, 

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. 


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 C 60 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) 



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 


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

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





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. 


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 highresolution 

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) 


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 germaniumantimony-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) 


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

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





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. 


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) 


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 


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 


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-gradprogram@ncsu.edu. 





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 spindependent 

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 organicmolecule 

systems. This research is being carried out 

by members of the organic electronic materials group 

at NC State. 



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) 

Interactions between nuclear spins in complex 

molecules (A,B) and between oppositely spin polarized 

electron hole pairs in a semiconductor (C). 


Harald Ade 

Photovoltaics are well known and promising 

technologies to solve future energy needs and to, 

maybe more importantly, reduce emissions of CO 2 , 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 


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) 

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 (2a 1u ) 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) 

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. 

Self assembled monolayer of benzoate on Cu(110) 

ARUPS valence orbitals of NiPc on a Au(001) surface at 

~300 K. Bottom vertical lines show gas-phase data IP’s. 


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-gradprogram@ncsu.edu. 





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. 



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 “videobased 

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- 


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 subdisciplines, 

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) 


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. 





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 phasedependent 

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 alloptical 

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 6 Li atoms confined in the focus of a CO 2 

laser optical trap. 

Pictured above is approximately ¼ of a billion atoms at 

several hundred micro-Kelvin contained in our magnetooptical 

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. 



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 quantumconfined 

Fermi gases in two-dimensional standingwave 

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. 


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. 





Soft Matter Physics 

Overview 

Soft matter physics addresses the mechanics and 

dynamics of the many biologically- and industriallyrelevant 

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. 


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 softmatter 

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) 


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) 


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. 





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 nonperturbative 

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. 



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-pprocess). 

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) 


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 fewand 

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-N c 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) 


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.

Physics Graduate Brochure - Physics - North Carolina State University

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