Dr. Alexei Grigoriev

Research interests: Structure and properties of ferroelectric and magnetic materials. Phase transitions and structural dynamics probed by time resolved synchrotron x-ray microdiffraction. Development of synchrotron radiation tools for studying materials at the nanoscale

Dr. George Miller

My research interests lie in the development of instrumentation in areas of environmental interest. At present these include Application of Laser Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer to Atomic and Molecular Spectrometry.

a)This research represents an ongoing study concentrating on the UV region of the spectrum. Results have demonstrating the technique’s feasibility as both a plasma diagnostic and for analytical atomic spectroscopy. This work has attracted international attention resulting in both invited publications and presentations. The most recent focus has been on the development and field testing of a cavity ringdown-based mercury continuous emission Monitor, awarded under the DOE solicitation "Development of Technologies and Capabilities for Developing Coal, Oil and Gas Energy Resources."

b)A DOD- funded exploratory study of cavity ringdown spectrometry as a non-invasive breath diagnostic for breath cancer. This work is investigating the presence of biomarkers present in the breath as a potential early

Dr. Scott Holmstrom

My current research efforts would be classified in the area of Materials Science for Optical Applications. My group is currently working to develop materials that can be used as part of an optical system designed to mimic structural coloration found in some marine animals such as the cuttlefish. We are also working on developing and characterizing 2-dimensional photonic slabs for use in all-optical circuitry.

In general, however, I would be happy to mentor a summer student in any type of physics research. If you are interested in investigating a particular topic,be it optics-related or not, I'd be happy to talk with you about it.

Dr. Parameswar Hari

My research interests are in the following three areas in condensed matter Physics:

1)Electrical and structural chracaterization of inorganic photovoltaic materials such as CuInSe2 and CuInS2.

2) Transport studies on organic semiconductors and polymers.

3) Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) studies of glassy and amorphous semiconductors.

Details of the reseach program can be found in the University of Tulsa Physics department web site.

Mr. Jerry McCoy

The research projects I have involve setting up and qualifying new equipment purchased for the Physics III lab. This includes at least the following experiments:

--Wave-Particle Duality of Light

--Rutherford Scattering

--Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Spin Resonance

--Subatomic Particles

To set up experiments such as these and make sure they are working properly is no small task. Once this is done, however, there would be an opportunity to delve further into particular topics than can be done during the lab course.

If you join this research effort, you could expect to develop skill in working with physics lab equipment and computers. You would gain knowledge of the specific Physics III topics covered by these experiments. And you would grow in taking initiative, being resourceful and innovative, and showing perseverance.

Dr. Dylan Brennan

Theoretical Plasma Physics

I am actively involved in theoretical plasma physics research describing equilibrium, stability and transport within magnetized plasmas. The context of this work is two areas, experimental magnetic confinement systems and astrophysical plasmas. Studies involve both analytic derivations and massively parallel computation of nonlinear physics, describing the linear and nonlinear coupling of collective modes or instabilities within the systems, and the effects on particle transport and the equilibrium state. Much of my recent work has been focussed on understanding the physics of plasmas relevant to thermonuclear fusion.

Dr. John Caruso

I seek students to complete the instrumentation process on an exercise device (YoYo Technoloiges AB, Stockholm, Sweden) specifically designed for use in outer space. The device uses two flywheels for inertial resistance which the user provides muscle forces to work against. If possible I am seeking real-time measurements from exercise done on the inertial device. I am seeking both instantaneous (peak torque, peak force, peak acceleration, peak angular velocity) performance measures as well as those obtained across multiple exercise repetitions (work, average power, etc.). The inertial device provides resistance to both muscle shortening (concentric) and lengthening (eccentric) actions, so I would need performance measures from both types of muscle actions.

Dr. Sanwu Wang

Materials Simulations and Condensed Matter Theory

My research goal is to understand and predict the microscopic and macroscopic properties of real and designed materials on the basis of first-principles quantum theory and atomic-scale simulations. The research involves large-scale computing. The systems under investigation range from traditional electronic, catalytic, and mechanical materials, to novel nanoscale materials including superhard nanocomposites for mechanical applications and semiconductor nanostructures for microelectronics & optoelectronics. Current active research focuses on five areas:

1. Novel superhard nanocomposite thin-film materials.

2. Semiconductor nanostructures on silicon surfaces.

3. Dopant-induced stabilization of porous catalytic nano-materials.

4. SiC-based metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).

5. n-type diamond for potential electronic devices based on diamond.

Sonoluminescence Project

Sonoluminescence is the name for the phenomenon whereby acoustic waves cause electromagnetic radiation to be emitted from bubbles in a liquid. The source of the radiation produced during sonoluminescence is not yet known despite many theoretical approaches. Proposed explanations for the phenomenon span the gamut of models that involve shock waves produced in the bubbles to quantum vacuum radiation. The objectives of our research are to construct an apparatus to enable the observation of sonoluminescence, to investigate its basic properties, to model the physics behind the phenomenon and determine the source of the emitted radiation, and to publish the results.