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Research

Research


The department’s research efforts can be grouped into four major fields:

  1. Astronomy and Cosmology, which explain the formation and evolution of our Universe
  2. Atomic, Molecular, & Optical Physics, which encompasses how atoms interact with each other and with light
  3. Condensed Matter Physics, which studies emergent phenomena in large collections of atoms such as the objects we see around us and the exotic materials in modern technology
  4. Particle or High Energy Physics, which delves into the most fundamental forces and particles and an understanding of the fundamental laws of physics.

The Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics & Astronomy conducts research in each of these fields, with the goal of expanding the frontiers of knowledge and training the workforce of the 21st century.

A photo of Lin Hall.
Research Facilities

From state-of-the-art laboratories to powerful computational facilities, the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy has access to a wealth of resources.

Learn more about our research facilities

The ongoing research efforts of the OU Astrophysics & Cosmology group span a wide range of interests, including:

  • Supernovae
  • Cosmology
  • Extragalactic astronomy
  • Extrasolar planets and circumstellar disks
  • Nucleosynthesis
  • Observational astronomy

Read more about our Astrophysics & Cosmology research


Astrophysics & Cosmology Faculty

The AMO group at OU studies the interactions between and manipulation of atoms, molecules, and photons at low temperatures and energies. Some of our current research areas in theory and experiment include:

  • Study of ultracold atoms and molecules
  • Precision spectroscopy
  • Quantum optics
  • Ultracold Bose and Fermi gases

Read more about our AMO research


Atomic, Molecular, & Optical Physics Faculty

The condensed matter group encompasses semiconductor physics, soft-matter physics, and nanophysics. A major focus of our group is the experimental and theoretical study of highly confined electron systems in artificially structured semiconductors and other low dimensional materials. We cover all aspects of these systems from fundamental theory to device fabrication. We have theoretical and experimental efforts in nano-scale semiconductor devices, high-efficiency photovoltaics, graphene, self-assembled monolayers, and nanoparticles.

Read more about our Condensed Matter research


OU theorists are mainly engaged in researching beyond-Standard Model physics. Areas of expertise include supersymmetry, statistical approaches to the string landscape, astro-particle searches for axions and dark matter, string phenomenology, and gravitational waves as a method to probe the early history of the Universe (the first three seconds).

OU’s experimental HEP program has participated in a wide range of physics analyses as part of the ATLAS Collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider. Topics of research include studies of the top quark and Higgs boson, as well as searches for supersymmetry and long-lived particles.

Read more about our High Energy research


High Energy Particle Physics Faculty