Materials Physics

Miguel Levy standing next to a research machine in photonics

Explore the applications of novel materials and their electronic, optical, magnetic, chemical, and biological properties and applications. With a focus on the fundamentals of nanoscale materials and materials systems, researchers at Michigan Tech analyze both the theoretical and experimental branches of materials physics.

From zero- and one-dimensional nanomaterial fabrication to simulation of single-electron transport devices to identification of DNA strand sequences, materials physicists are at the forefront of many technological advances.

Researchers

Faculty Areas of Interest
Theoretical condensed matter physics; Theory and modeling of single-electron transport devices; Modeling and simulation of properties of interfaces and interface materials; Atomistic computational physics of surface phases and surface dynamics; Crystal growth; Mineralogy of natural graphite
Photonics; Nonreciprocal Phenomena
Heteroepitaxial growth on compliant substrates; Fabrication, characterization, and properties of nanoscale layered structures; Integration of dissimilar materials through wafer bonding; The relationship between structural, optical, and electronic properties of heterostructures; Quantitative x-ray diffraction analysis; Materials Science curriculum development at all educational levels; The relationship between information and atoms
Electrolytes; Self-assembly of macromolecules; Ion solvation in liquids; Dielectric response of molecules under external electrostatic fields; Electrochemistry related to energy storage; Computer simulations for macromolecular systems; Machine-learning for soft materials
Modeling of Materials
Quantum Materials
Light-matter interactions and quantum optics on nanoscale platforms (i.e. nanostructures); Coherent and nonlinear processes in metal or semiconductor nanocavities; Time-resolved laser spectroscopy and nanofabrications
Condensed Matter Experiment (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance); NMR and NQR Engineering (Materials Detection)
Controlled synthesis of 0D, 1D, and 2D materials (Nanotubes, 2D layered materials, Nanowires, Quantum Dots, and their heterostructures, etc.).; Exploration of new functional nanomaterials, heterojunctions, heterostructures, nano-hybrids, and nano-systems.; Creative use of nanomaterials for advanced electronics, quantum switching, energy harvesting, environmental, chemical and biomedical applications.

Labs

Integrated Magneto-Photonics

Fisher B005c
Researcher: Miguel Levy

Magnetic Resonance 

Fisher B036
Researcher: Bryan Suits

Quantum Optics

Fisher B010/012
Researcher: Jae Yong Suh

Yoke Khin Yap Labs

  • Fisher B031 - Materials and Laser Physics
  • Fisher B013 - PE-CVD
  • Fisher B009 - Electro Chemistry
  • Fisher B034 - Spectroscopy

Positions Available

Undergraduate

All faculty members accept undergraduate student researchers into their labs. For more information, please contact physics@mtu.edu. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs) are open to all Tech undergraduates who have at least one semester remaining after the summer.

Graduate

The Department of Physics seeks qualified applicants in all areas of physics for GRA and GTA positions. For more information, please contact the graduate program directors.