Condensed Matter Research Themes
What is condensed matter physics? It is the study of the microscopic and macroscopic properties of matter in the "condensed" (liquid or solid) state. The research areas in condensed matter are becoming increasingly cross-disciplinary, and research in the department falls under 4 broad themes.
The Biomaterials and Soft Matter group studies the physical principles relating to structure, dynamics and function in biologically significant systems (e.g. cell membranes, soluble and membrane proteins, bone, lung surfactant), and the physics of soft materials (e.g. formation and structure of lipid assemblies; phase transitions in and dynamics of colloids, liquid crystals and surfactants; glassy dynamics and nucleation in simple and network-forming liquids).
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Magnetic and electronic materials research at Memorial includes studies of organic semiconductors, transparent conducting oxides, frustrated magnetic systems, correlated electron systems, and thin films for sensor technologies. The physics of these systems is addressed through studies of superconductivity, magnetism, electronic structure, crystal structure, and phase transitions. Theoretical investigations are facilitated by leading edge computational and visualization resources. Experimental techniques include scanning probe microscopies under controlled liquid and atmospheric environments, as well as ultrasonic measurements at high magnetic fields and low temperatures.
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Novel physics at small length scales is addressed in studies of thin nanostructured materials, thin films and multilayers, self-assembled monolayers, conducting polymers, metal-organic frameworks, and templated materials. Theoretical studies are facilitated by world class computational resources for molecular and extended structures. Experimental expertise within Memorial encompasses material synthesis (via sputtering, electrochemical etching and deposition) as well as structural and physical property characterization of systems for photonic, sensor, electronic, and magnetic applications.
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The photonics, spectroscopy and microscopy group uses a variety of optical techniques to study the fundamental physics (structure, elastic and optical properties, phase transitions) as well as photonic properties of a wide range of materials - films and nanoporous materials, ferro-elastic materials, photonic materials and soft materials. Experimental techniques used at Memorial include femtosecond laser spectroscopy, Brillouin light scattering, Raman and infra-red spectroscopies, laser scanning confocal microscopy, uv-vis-ir optical spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy.
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