Department of Physics

Research Areas and Facilities

Computational and Theoretical Physics

Computational and theoretical studies focus on structural, electric and magnetic properties of molecules and solids and on underwater acoustics. Facilities include a computer enhanced classroom and advanced computer laboratory. Equipment includes a 20-node Beowulf cluster and several workstations.

Investigators: John Deisz, and Michael Roth

Holographic Characterization of Surfaces

Investigations focus on using holography as a tool for characterizing surface roughness and for character recognition. The well equipped laser and optics laboratory contains several vibration isolation tables, lasers, and spectrometers.

Investigator: Dale Olson

Low Dimensional and Complex Materials

The research concerns investigation into the electronic and structural characteristics of low dimensional and complex materials. These systems exhibit exotic phases not seen in the world of everyday standard 3D systems. The main focus is to create, characterize and model systems of interest such atomic and nanoscale wires, dots, and films to deduce both fundamental properties as well as tailor them towards eventual applications in industry. Facilities include molecular beam epitaxy, scanning tunneling microscopy, Auger spectroscopy, and electron diffraction contained within two separate ultra-high vacuum systems.

Investigator: Tim Kidd

Low Dimensional Condensed Matter Systems

Low dimensional structures exhibit properties that are similar to both individual atoms as well as bulk materials.  As material dimensions shrink below 10 nanometers, quantum confinement effects become noticeable in their electronic and optical properties.  At the same time low dimensional materials are highly sensitive to the presence of disorder or impurities.  The ability to tune the electrical and optical properties of these low dimensional materials by varying their shape, size, and composition have made them useful from a practical stand point in devices such as solar cells, solid state lasers, and light emitting diodes.  Studying the properties of individual nanocrystals provides the opportunity to understand the fundamental physics occurring at the nanometer length scale that can be later applied to towards device applications.  To achieve this understanding, Dr. Stollenwerk's group has begun assembling a state-of-the-art variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy laboratory. 

Investigator: Andrew Stollenwerk

Magnetic Properties of Materials

The objective of this research is to study and elucidate the electronic and magnetic behavior of novel disordered magnetic materials. Examples of such materials are diluted magnetic semiconductors and mechanically-milled rare-earth alloys. There is special interest in the spin-glass or spin-glass-like behavior that is commonly exhibited by these disordered materials. Measurement capabilities include ac susceptibility, dc magnetization, and resistivity, in the temperature range 4-300 K.

Investigator: Paul Shand

Musical Acoustics

Experimental investigations focus on vibrations of musical instrument strings. The sound and vibrations laboratory houses a sound isolation chamber and equipment such as a Fourier spectrometer.

Investigator: Roger Hanson

Physics and Science Education

The physics and science education group investigates student understanding of physics concepts and related physical phenomena, and uses the insights gained to guide instruction and curriculum development. The group also provides professional development opportunities for teachers, such as the UNI PRISMS and PRISST programs. Facilities include studio physics classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art instructional technologies, video cameras for recording interviews and classroom observations, and a computer workstation for document scanning and video processing.

Investigators: Lawrence Escalada, Jeff Morgan and Roy Unruh (Professor Emeritus)

Surface Physics

Investigations focus on non-contact measurement of fluid viscosity and the elastic behavior of monolayers on water surfaces. Equipment includes a fiber-optic-based interferometer for measurements of liquid surfaces.

Investigator: Fred Behroozi

Theoretical Biophysics and Neuroscience

This research effort involves theoretical modelling of the physics of biological processes, including muscle and nerve impulses. A research effort is under way to understand how neurons operate, specifically, how their electrical impulses are generated. Current investigations focus on the kinematics and dynamics of sodium and potassium channels in the cell membranes of neurons.

Investigator: Cliff Chancey