Research Groups in the ISU Physics Department
Our department specializes in offering cutting-edge research experiences to our physics majors. We have a dynamic group of researchers exploring a wide variety of exciting phenomena from basic quantum physics to applied materials science to space and astrophysics. Peruse the links below to discover some of the amazing things our student researchers are doing.
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics
Intense Laser Physics Theory Unit
Professors Grobe and Su
Research on the interaction of laser light with matter.
Metastable Helium Lab
Professor Rutherford
Experimental research in ionizing reactions of excited, long-lived helium atoms.
Mathematical Physics
Mathematical Physics
Professor Hassani
Theoretical quantum field theory research and mathematical physics pedagogy.
Materials Physics
Experimental Solid State Physics Lab
Professor Marx
Experimental investigation of photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, nanotechnology, and similar materials.
Space Physics
Center for Research and Instruction in Space Physics
Professors Holland, Martin , and Matsuoka
Computational research in space physics and nonlinear dynamics.
Statistical Mechanics and Thermal Physics
Statistical Mechanics
Professor Matsuoka
Computational research on many body physics such as phase transitions in microclusters.
Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos
Chaotic Circuits and Systems
Professor Clark
Experimental and Computational research in chaos in electronic circuits and other systems.
Synchronization of Chaos
Professor Rosa Computational and Experimental research in phase synchronization of chaos
Chaotic Waterwheel
Professor Rutherford
Experimental investigation of a simple, mechanical, chaotic system.
