Creativity, Discovery, Engagement
Learning Like No Other
We strive to be at the forefront of many areas where new physics can be found. While we often study the simplest things, such as individual atoms, we study the most complicated things too: unusual materials like high temperature superconductors and those that are important in biology. By pushing the limits, we have the chance to observe new general principles and to test theories of the structure and behavior of matter and energy.
Research in the department covers a wide range of fields, including AMO physics, biological physics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, particle astrophysics, and gravitational physics. Many opportunities are available for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Department of Physics and Biophysics
Health Sciences Campus
706-721-2335
Our faculty have diverse specializations and research interests, and theyre passionate about working with undergraduate as well as graduate students. This includes advising and mentoring throughout your time at AU, as well as partnering with you on gaining research experience.
Research typically involves designing and testing instruments and devices necessary for various interdisciplinary investigations, such as environmental sensors. Projects involve learning about analog and digital electronic circuits and how to write microcontroller software appropriate for the topic of investigation.
Faculty: Dr. Andy Hauger, Dr. David McCall
Understanding basic phenomena ranging from the few-body to the many-body level. Included are processes such as the behavior of quantum gases (such as Bose-Einstein condensates) and degenerate (Fermi) gases, and Bose-Fermi mixtures, which connect with modern-day condensed-matter physics.
Faculty: Dr. Tom Colbert (Experimental),
Experimental research focuses on biological applications of physics, particularly on the damages done to DNA by ultraviolet and ionizing radiations, as well as post-irradiation effects on cells. We look at spectroscopic studies of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biologically important molecules using visible and ultraviolet light. The theoretical subset of Biological Physics involves studying biological phenomena using computational and theoretical approaches, based on physics, to gather insights into the underlying physical principles for how cells and tissues carry out their functions. We look at collective cell movement during embryogenesis and tumor growth, and how cells sense their mechanical environment.
Faculty: Dr. John Sutherland (Experimental), ,
Looks at the physical properties of condensed phases of matter where particles adhere to one another. We seek to understand the behavior of these phases by using physical laws, including the laws of quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and statistical mechanics. At 酴圖傻弝け, we do research into microfluidics and electrified jets, quantum magnetism, strongly correlated electron systems, and high-temperature superconductors. On the theoretical and computational front we utilize a variety of tools ranging from interacting spin wave theory, Schwinger boson, Monte Carlo simulation, exact diagonalizaton, and Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG).
Faculty: Josefa Guerrero-Millan (Experimental), Dr. Amani Jayakody (Experimental), ,
Cosmology is a broad field of study that focuses on the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe. In cosmology, we seek the answers to the most fundamental questions about the universe. The questions encompass the structure of space-time geometry to the origin of fundamental particles from quantum fields and their interactions in the primordial universe. Gravitational Physics is a classical theory that studies gravitational interactions at the cosmological and astrophysical scale, primarily based on Einstein's general theory of relativity. The two key questions that modern gravitational physics research attempts to answer are: Is Einstein's general relativity the complete theory of gravity at the IR scale? What is the interaction between gravity and matter at the UV scale, and how does such quantum theory of gravity incorporate general relativity? The possibility that an alternative theory of gravity like Conformal Gravity could achieve both the complete theory of gravity and the complete cosmological model of our universe remains open.
Faculty: Dr. Asanka Amarasinghe
At the interface of physics, biology, chemistry, computer science and data science, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physics touches nearly every aspect of STEM. The faculty explores many forms of research including (but not limited to) analysis of neurofunctional MRI data, advancements in MRI protocol and algorithm development, as well as the design and construction of novel MRI hardware for the study of MR physics at a fundamental level.
Faculty: Dr. Nathan Yanasak , Dr. Alex Wright, Dr. Genevieve Reeves
Researches the technical foundations of radiation, dosimetry, and nuclear medicine. Medical physics incorporates experimental, computational, and theoretical methods to study the effect of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Faculty: Dr. Nathan Yanasak, Dr. Joseph Newton
A branch of astronomy that looks at the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies, and seeks to apply the laws and theories of physics to the interpretation of astronomical observations. Studies protons and neutrons at the center of an atom (nuclei) and the interaction that hold them together in space. We also do research into other forms of nuclear matter.
Faculty: Dr. Joseph Newton
Physics education research (PER) refers to the methods currently used to teach physics and to an area of pedagogical research that seeks to improve those methods. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) uses discovery, reflection, and evidence-based methods to research effective teaching and student learning. These findings are peer-reviewed and publicly disseminated in an ongoing cycle of systematic inquiry into classroom practices.
Faculty: Dr. Tom Colbert, ,
Statistical physics aims to explain the behavior of macroscopic systems by analyzing the statistical properties of their microscopic constituents. Our research in this area investigates both classical and quantum systems with many interacting components to uncover their macroscopic properties, phases, and phase transitions. We employ a variety of methodsincluding machine learning techniques, computational approaches such as classical Monte Carlo simulations, collective transport models, quantum information theory, and other analytical and computational frameworks to study complex systems. These systems span diverse areas of physics, including condensed matter, biological systems, quantum computing, cosmology and nonequilibrium phenomena.
Faculty: , , Dr. Asanka Amarasinghe
Creativity, Discovery, Engagement
Our faculty's research is at the forefront of today's science and tomorrow's technology. Browse some of the recent publications.
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Sinha, S., Li, X., Malmi-Kakkada, A. N. & Thirumalai, D., Jan 10 2025, In: Soft Matter. 21, 6, p. 1170-1179 10 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Dawson, J. E., Bryant, A., Walton, B., Bhikot, S., Macon, S., Ajamu-Johnson, A., Jordan, T., & Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Jan 7 2025, In: Biophysical Journal. 124, 1, p. 93-106 14 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Vincent, A. & , Sep 2024, In: Physical Review A. 110, 3, 033324. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Dawson, J. E. & Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Jun 2024, In: Physical Review Research. 6, 3, 033054. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Sood, N., Sangari, A., Goyal, A., Sun, C., Horinek, M., & Perry, L., Oct 26 2023, In: World Journal of Cardiology. 15, 10, p. 531-541 11 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Widjaja, J. H., Sloan, D. C., & , Sep 2023, In: eNeuro. 10, 9 Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Li, J., Jin, S., & Yao, D. X., May 1 2023, In: Physical Review B. 107, 18, 184402. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Zills, G., & Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Jan 2023, In: Physical Review E. 107, 1, 014401. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Marchant, C. L., Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Espina, J. A. & Barriga, E. H., Nov 2022, In: Nature Materials. 21, 11, p. 1314-1323 10 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Zhang, Y. F., Ni, X. S., , Wang, M., Yao, D. X. & Cao, K., Nov 1 2022, In: Physical Review B. 106, 18, 184422. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Sinha, S., Li, X. & Thirumalai, D., Oct 4 2022, In: Biophysical Journal. 121, 19, p. 3719-3729 11 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Ma, J. Z., & Yao, D. X., Jun 15 2022, In: Physical Review B. 105, 24, 245102. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Rojo, J., de La Cotte, A., Vila, E. & Fernandez-Nieves, A., Apr 2022, In: Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2022, 182, e63376. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Recht, M., , Segarra, G., Inglett, C., Romo, P. A. & Adamovics, J., Nov 1 2021, In: Applied Sciences (Switzerland). 11, 21, 9906. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Sinha, S. & Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Sep 9 2021, In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 125, 37, p. 10445-10451 7 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Marchant, C., Malmi-Kakkada, A., Espina, J. & Barriga, E., Aug 12 2021, (Submitted) Research output: Other contribution |
Hofer, S., , Tewari, S. & Mazumdar, D., Aug 1 2021, In: Physical Review B. 104, 6, 064427. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Jul 1 2021, In: Physical Review B. 104, 2, 024503. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Li, J., & Yao, D. X., Jun 2021, In: Physical Review Research. 3, 2, 023248. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Huebner, R. J., Malmi-Kakkada, A. N., Sar覺kaya, S., Weng, S., Thirumalai, D. & Wallingford, J. B., May 25 2021, In: eLife. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Shan, C., Jin, S., & Yao, D. X., Jan 13 2021, In: Physical Review B. 103, 2, 024417. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Room, T., Viirok, J., Peedu, L., Nagel, U., Farkas, D. G., Szaller, D., Kocsis, V., Bord獺cs, S., Kezsmarki, I., Kamenskyi, D. L., Engelkamp, H., Ozerov, M., Smirnov, D., Krzystek, J., Thirunavukkuarasu, K., Ozaki, Y., Tomioka, Y., Ito, T., & Fishman, R. S., Dec 9 2020, In: Physical Review B. 102, 21, 214410. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Xiong, Z., & Yao, D. X., Dec 1 2020, In: npj Quantum Materials. 5, 1, 78. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Dec 2020, In: Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. 53, 23, 235302. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Kumar, U., Nocera, A., Price, G., Stiwinter, K., Johnston, S. & , Aug 15 2020, In: Physical Review B. 102, 7, 075134. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Chang, Y. W., Fragkopoulos, A. A. & Fernandez-Nieves, A., Mar 1 2020, In: Small. 16, 9, 1904344. Research output: Contribution to journal Review article peer-review |
He, M., & Yao, D. X., Jan 30 2020, In: Physical Review B. 101, 2, 024426. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Mongan, S., Huang, Z., , Nomura, T. & Yao, D. X., Dec 1 2019, In: Scientific reports. 9, 1, 12771. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Oct 4 2019, In: Physical Review B. 100, 15, 155106. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Jin, S., Luo, C., & Yao, D. X., Aug 8 2019, In: Physical Review B. 100, 5, 054410. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Hijano, A. J., Lobato, M. A., Higuera, F. J., Loscertales, I. G. & Fernandez-Nieves, A., Aug 1 2019, In: Physics of Fluids. 31, 8, 082009. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Gonz獺lez, H., Vazquez, P. A., Garc穩a, F. J. & , Apr 18 2018, In: Physical Review Fluids. 3, 4, 044802. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Minter, K. M., Jannik, G. T., Stagich, B. H., Dixon, K. L. & , Apr 1 2018, In: Health physics. 114, 4, p. 408-413 6 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Wemyss, A. M., Chmel, N. P., Lobo, D. P., , Dafforn, T. R. & Rodger, A., Mar 2018, In: Chirality. 30, 3, p. 227-237 11 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Jan 29 2018, In: Physical Review A. 97, 1, 013632. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Huang, Z., Mongan, S., & Yao, D. X., Nov 24 2017, In: Journal of Physics Condensed Matter. 29, 50, 505802. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Xiong, Z., , Stiwinter, K. & Yao, D. X., Oct 30 2017, In: Physical Review B. 96, 14, 144436. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Sep 1 2017, In: Analytical Biochemistry. 532, p. 9-11 3 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
Kang, J. H., Lee, S. S., , Fernandez-Nieves, A., Kim, S. H. & Reichmanis, E., Jun 6 2017, In: Advanced Materials. 29, 21, 1606830. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
, Apr 15 2017, In: Analytical Biochemistry. 523, p. 24-31 8 p. Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review |
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