Astrophysics:

1

• Slide 2
• Astrophysics
• A main goal is to understand the origin of life.
  Current interest focuses on
• spectroscopic detection of organic molecules in
  interstellar dust and gas.
• Research in galactic and extragalactic astronomy
  includes the structure and
• formation of the galactic halo.
• Particle physics Our present focus is on the
  structure of strongly interacting
• matter, ie. baryons and mesons, in terms of the
  fundamental quarks and gluons
• from which they are composed, and their
  connection to the theory of strong
• interactions known as Quantum Chromodynamics
  (QCD).

2

• Slide 3
• Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging
• Novel THz spectroscopic technique is used to
  characterize advanced materials,
• including semiconductors, ferroelectrics and
  biomolecules.
• THz imaging opens up new opportunities in 3D
  imaging of the interior of an
• object (example a pingpong ball).
• Near field THz microscope can give 150 nm
  resolution.
• Terascale electronics and transport
• Molecular scale electronic switches
• Electron and spin transport through a single
  molecule
• Fellowships available in Terahertz and and
  Terascale research (Both 30K/year stipend)
• GAANN Graduate Assistance in Areas of National
  Need Program (Department of
• Education)
• IGERT Integrated Graduate Education and Research
  Traineeship (National Science

3

• Slide 4
• Biophysics research
• One focus is to characterize cells, their
  interactions with surfaces,
• and to measure the effects of various chemical
  agents on cell motility using
• electrical methods.
• Theoretical methods are developed to study the
  electronic structures of complex
• molecules such as protein.
• Student-centered teaching
• studio physics classes are an integrated
  lecture/laboratory format, a reduced
• amount of time allotted to lecture, a technology
  enhanced learning environment,
• collaborative group work and a high level of
  faculty-student interaction.