Physics Graduate Faculty
| James Battat, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Harvard University, 2008 Research: Experimental particle astrophysics and gravitation James builds particle detectors to search for dark matter in the laboratory. He is a member of the Dark Matter Time Projection Chamber, which searches for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles. In addition, he collaborates with the Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation (APOLLO), which uses pulsed laser light to measure the Earth-Moon separation with millimeter precision to test General Relativity, Lorentz Invariance and other aspects of fundamental physics. |
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Peter A. Beckmann, Professor
Ph.D., University of British Columbia, 1975 Research: Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance Peter studies intramolecular rotation of methyl and fluoromethyl groups in organic molecular solids and fluoride ion motion in ionic solids. Variable-temperature (77–370 K) and variable-frequency (8.50, 22.5, and 53.0 MHz) solid state 1H (proton) and 19F (fluorine) nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation (NMR) experiments are performed to investigate the motion. His work has been supported by the NSF, ACS and PRF. |
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Xuemei May Cheng, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 2006 Research: Nanomaterials and spintronics May’s research focuses on the fabrication, charaterization and application of nanoscales materials. Projects include: templated electrochemical deposition of nanoscaled materials for energy and medical applications; time-resolved imaging of spin dynamics in magnetic nanostructures; and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of multiferroic materials. She has recently received an NSF CAREER award and an NSF MRI grant. She has also been awarded access to DOE user facilities at national laboratories. |
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Elizabeth F. McCormack, Professor
Ph.D., Yale University, 1989 Research: Molecular spectroscopy and dynamics Liz investigates fundamental aspects of molecular excited state-structure and dynamics using a variety of laser spectroscopy techniques including resonant multiphoton excitation and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy detection. Her interests include Rydberg and ion-pair state dynamics, photoionization, and photo-dissociation. In 1996 she received an NSF CAREER award and in 2005 she was elected an APS Fellow. Her work is currently supported by the NSF. |
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Michael W. Noel, Professor
Ph.D., University of Rochester, 1996 Research: Ultracold Rydberg atoms Mike’s research focuses on experimental studies of ultracold samples of highly excited atoms. The impact of these experiments is broad, with connections to condensed matter physics of spin glasses and crystals; low temperature atomic, molecular, and optical physics involving many body interactions; and low temperature plasma physics. In 2002 he received an NSF CAREER award. His work is currently supported by the NSF. |
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Michael B. Schulz, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Stanford University, 2002 Research: High energy physics, quantum field theory, and string theory Michael's work focuses on string theory and its applications to particle physics and cosmology. His current research seeks to elucidate the rich geometrical structure that underlies generalized string theory compactifications, and to develop a more complete picture of how ten dimensional string theory gives rise to realistic four dimensional quantum field theories that can describe our world. His work is currently supported by the NSF. |
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