When a large number of atoms condense into a fluid or solid, behaviors emerge that are only indirectly related to the physics of the individual atoms. Superconductivity is one such an emergent behavior, which could not be anticipated from even a detailed study of an isolated atom. The goal of Condensed Matter Physics is not only to measure and explain such emergent phenomena, but also to manipulate these properties to produce the novel effects we desire. This allows us to both investigate fundamental physics and to develop commercially important applications.
A student in Condensed Matter Physics must have a thorough understanding of both the microscopic quantum mechanics that underlies the system and the classical macroscopic theories of mechanics, electromagnetism, and statistical mechanics that describe its large scale behavior. This broad background enables students to go on to careers in academia, government labs, and industry.
Trenches etched in GaAs using an Ar+ beam with an AAO mask. Note this technique can be done remotely in vacuo, thus it is fully compatible with MBE.
The primary focus of our group is the study of highly confined electron systems in artificially structured semiconductors. We cover all aspects of these systems, from fundamental theory to device fabrication. This group operates as part of Center for Semiconductor Physics in Nanostructures (C-SPIN) one of the National Science Foundation's few Materials Research, Science and Engineering Centers. C-SPIN is a multi-million dollar, interdisciplinary research collaboration between scientists at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas. We have theoretical and experimental efforts in nano-scaled semiconductor devices, spin transport in semiconductors and high-speed transistors.
In addition to semiconductors, the group’s activities also extend to other nanoscale systems. We have active research programs in plasmonics and soft matter systems, such as organic monolayers. The group also has research efforts in lithium ion conducting polymers. This work, performed in conjunction with researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is directed towards the understanding and improvement of lithium batteries.
The majority of our experimental research takes place in the department's state-of-the-art laboratories. Our well equipped facilities include: a dual-chamber molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system for the growth of III-V and IV-VI semiconductors; several scanning probe microscopes for high resolution imaging and pattering of atomic surfaces; a new optical lithography cleanroom for semiconductor processing; low temperature (<20mK) and high magnetic field (15T) facilities for optical and electrical studies; and picosecond pulsed laser systems for our polymer studies. Theoretical work is aided by a numerous workstations and an SP2 supercomputer. This work concentrates on electron-electron interaction effects, electronic band structure of the confined systems, and hot-electron transport and magneto-transport in confined electron systems.
The Engineering Physics Program has a strong overlap with our group: most of our faculty are also members of this program. The engineering physicist provides the link between the pure scientist and the engineer by applying fundamental scientific theories to the solution of technological problems. As the miniaturization of transistors, lasers, and memory elements continues, an understanding of their operation increasingly requires knowledge of the underlying physics. This trend will only continue in the foreseeable future.
