Research Areas
Research AReas
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware is a vibrant hub of scientific inquiry, encompassing a diverse range of research areas that push the boundaries of human understanding. From the mysteries of condensed matter and materials physics to the vast expanse of astrophysics and cosmology, our faculty and students are engaged in cutting-edge research that spans the full spectrum of experimental and theoretical physics. With state-of-the-art facilities and collaborations with national laboratories and international institutions, the department fosters a dynamic environment that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Related Faculty
Theoretical/Computational: Sarah Dodson-Robinson, James MacDonald, Stanley Owocki
Observational: Federica Bianco, Gregory Dobler, Sarah Dodson-Robinson, John Gizis, Jamie Holder, Veronique Petit, Judith Provencal
Brief Description
Fundamental questions about the Universe, galaxies, stars, and planets are explored. Research topics include stellar astrophysics, exoplanets and planetary science, gamma-ray astronomy, galactic and extragalactic astronomy. The Department is active in time-domain astrophysics.
The Department’s membership in the SARA consortium provides real time student access to 1 meter class optical telescopes in Arizona, Chile, and the Canary islands. Locally, the department has access to facilities at the Mt. Cuba Observatory, including a 0.6m imaging telescope and a new 1.3m state of the art research telescope with both imaging and spectroscopic capabilities. UD astronomers are actively participating in the construction, development, and operation of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the flagship ground based US observatory of the next decade. The Vera Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time will scan large regions of the sky over 10 years, revolutionizing our understanding of the dynamic universe. UD faculty are also involved with future instruments such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory, the Twinkle Space Telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Research at Delaware also makes use of existing world-class facilities such as the Hubble Space Telescope the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and VERITAS.
Faculty
Theoretical/Computational: Alexei Kananenka, Edward Lyman, John Morgan, Marianna Safronova, Krzysztof Szalewicz, Barry Walker
Experimental: Matthew DeCamp, Lars Gundlach, Barry Walker
Brief Description
Atomic, molecular and optical physics (AMO) studies matter and light–matter interactions at the scale of one to thousands of atoms and molecules. This is a vibrant field of physics/chemistry as documented by recent Nobel prizes for discoveries in the areas of quantum electronics, optical and laser spectroscopy, photochemistry, molecular reaction dynamics, ultrafast laser physics, quantum information science, precision measurements, and Bose-Einstein condensation. The applications of the research are far reaching and include the global positioning system, detection of gravity waves, and quantum computing. The research at the University of Delaware (UD) includes advancements of theory as well as of experimental and computational techniques in areas such as light and matter interactions under extreme conditions, development and applications of quantum sensors, searches for dark matter, searches for physics beyond the standard model with atomic systems, high-precision calculations on small atoms and molecules, theory of intermolecular interactions, quantum and classical molecular dynamics of molecular motions, electronic-structure theory of atoms and molecules including developments of novel density-functional methods applicable to very large molecules, and ultrafast spectroscopy. Results of this research were applied, for example, to develop the 2019 SI standard of temperature.
Another area of focus at UD is chemical and biological physics. The functions and structures of chemical soft condensed phase, macromolecules and biological systems originate from intermolecular interactions known as van der Waals interactions. These interactions do not involve forming chemical bonds between the interacting species, but govern the organization of molecules into complex matter. Theoretical research at UD includes investigations of such interactions in van der Waals clusters, liquids, molecular crystals, and biological membranes. Processes investigated experimentally include electron transfer reactions and charge carrier dynamics in nanomaterials. When applied to living systems, the research can address the peculiar material properties of the cell membranes and how the cell exploits these properties to perform the physical chemistry of life. The applications of this research include predictions of crystal structure of pharmaceutical drugs. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of function of biological systems such as cell membranes, ion channels, and intrinsically disordered proteins is another active research area at UD.
Our experimental laboratories will move into a new science building in Fall 2024.
Faculty
Theoretical/Computational: Siu-Tat Chui, Branislav Nikolic, Yafei Ren
Experimental: Chitraleema Chakraborty, Yi Ji, Benjamin Jungfleisch, Edmund Nowak, Ismat Shah, John Xiao
Brief Description
Research in condensed matter and materials physics stimulates disruptive technologies and innovations and transforms our society. The complex interaction of a large number of electrons and atoms in naturally occurring materials and artificially structured materials yields fascinating new physics and pushes the boundaries of knowledge. At the University of Delaware (UD), fundamental properties of materials and their potential applications in technologies are investigated experimentally, computationally, and theoretically. Research topics include quantum phenomena and technology, thin films, two-dimensional (2-D) materials, nanoscience and nanostructures, spintronics (spin-based electronics), magnonics, spin dynamics, and complex electronic and magnetic materials. A full suite of materials fabrication and characterization equipment in faculty laboratories and the state-of-the-art University of Delaware Nanofabrication Facilities (UDNF) allow students and researchers to gain hands-on experience in advanced instrumentation and to implement their best research ideas. We participate in UD's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) funded by the National Science Foundation. Our experimental laboratories will move into a new science building in Fall 2024.
Faculty
Theoretical: Qaisar Shafi
Experimental: Spencer Axani, John Clem, Jamie Holder, Frank Schroeder, David Seckel
Brief Description
Particle physics is concerned with the elementary particles and their interactions as well as the underlying structure of the Universe. Research topics include unified theories, cosmology, dark matter and dark energy. Particle astrophysics concerns elementary particles of astrophysical origin, and involves the study of cosmic rays, astrophysical neutrinos and gamma-rays. Delaware research groups play leading roles in the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica, the VERITAS and CTA gamma-ray observatories, the PUEO NASA balloon mission, and the KamLAND experiment. We are also involved with the Pierre Auger Observatory.
Faculty
Theoretical/Computational: Arijit Bose, William Matthaeus, Michael Shay, Yan Yang
Observational/Experimental: John Clem, Bennett Maruca
Brief Description
Research topics include solar physics, heliospheric physics, plasma physics, magnetic reconnection, solar energetic particles, cosmic rays, high-energy-density laboratory astrophysics, and fusion. Our faculty and students serve on the science teams for multiple NASA missions: Parker Solar Probe, Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, PUNCH, Wind, IMAP, and HelioSwarm. Collaborative opportunities with various Department of Energy National Labs are available. We operate a global neutron monitor network that measures cosmic rays entering the atmosphere and serve as principal investigators in the AESOPLite NASA balloon mission.
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UD’s Eclipse Chasers head for Texas ‘totality’
April 05, 2024 | Written by Beth MillerThe Eclipse Chasers and faculty adviser Edmund Nowak, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, plan to observe the eclipse in Texas, which is where “totality” starts in the U.S. -
Telescope Will Detect Stellar Flares And Strange Far-Flung Explosions
February 13, 2024 | Written by Bruce Dorminey of ForbesThe median timescale of these red dwarf flare events is about 30 minutes and it's impossible for us to predict when they're going to happen, said Riley Clarke, a graduate student in physics in astronomy at UD. -
Prof. Michael Shay named American Geophysical Union Fellow
December 11, 2023 | Written by Beth MillerMichael Shay, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware, has been named a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, which recognized him especially for his breakthrough contributions and sustained impact in understanding magnetic reconnection in space. -
Shaping a new generation of nuclear fusion researchers
December 08, 2023 | Written by Beth MillerRobert Spiers is a doctoral student at the University of Delaware, studying nuclear fusion with his mentor, Arijit Bose, assistant professor of physics and astronomy. Spiers has won support for his studies from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, including an internship at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
