USU Physics Research

Space Science
The Physics Department is active in the field of atmospheric and space science, in close association with the interdisciplinary Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences and the Space Dynamics Laboratory. Atmospheric and space science involves many areas of physics, in addition to such disciplines as engineering, chemistry, and meteorology. At USU, these groups enjoy a strong cooperative relationship and, as a result, the atmospheric and space science program has flourished for many years. Once the departmental requirements have been met, students may select courses from the offerings of the associated departments suited for their particular interests and needs while they gain research experience on challenging problems in atmospheric and space science. Opportunities are available for students in both experimental and theoretical projects. These include participation in instrument development and data analysis related to rocket, satellite, and space shuttle projects and projects in experimental design and data analysis related to incoherent-scatter and coherent radars, ground-based magnetometer, and ground-based optical instruments including a LIDAR system. Opportunities also exist in theoretical modeling of physical processes occurring in both the neutral atmosphere and in the plasma in the solar-terrestrial environment. (Faculty: Fejer, Schunk, Sojka, Taylor, Wickwar)

Plasma Theory and Confinement
Research in the field of magnetic confinement fusion at Utah State University includes the theoretical development and experimental realization of minimum-energy confinement configurations possessing substantial electric fields. These configurations hold promise as neutron and energy sources and are being developed as a collaborative effort between Dr. Farrell Edwards and Dr. Eric Held. In addition, Dr. Held is involved in developing improved hybrid fluid/kinetic models for terrestrial and astrophysical plasmas. This work provides theoretical support for next-step fusion experiments such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). (Faculty: Edwards, Held)

Surface Physics
The surface physics group has an active experimental research program studying the structure, growth, dynamics, electronic properties, and optical properties of surfaces, interfaces, and adsorbed layers. The group has expertise in the interactions of electrons, ions, and photons with materials. Experimental techniques used within the group include atomic force microscopy (AFM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), infrared spectroscopy, ion scattering spectroscopy, ion implantation, low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), photoemission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), thermal deflection spectroscopy, ultrafast femtosecond laser spectroscopy, vapor pressure adsorption isotherms, and x-ray diffraction. This interdisciplinary research brings together the fields of solid-state physics, surface physics and chemistry, optics, physical chemistry, and electrochemistry through active collaborations between Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and other departments. It includes both basic and applied research. (Faculty: Dennison, Riffe, Shen, Yang)

Physics of Quantum Devices
The rapid advance of technology has made quantum physics an indispensable foundation of the nanoscale devices. The Physics Department is positioned to explore this new field with two complementary research themes. The first theme is to study the growth of novel electronic/photonic materials involving group III-V elements using a commericial, state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy machine. Also, novel semiconductor quantum nanostructures are studied using an in-situ scanning tunneling microscope directly attached to the machine. The second theme is to use the most advanced surface science techniques to fabricate nanoscale structures on semiconductor surfaces. The interdisciplinary nature of this field provides a stimulating research environment for faculty and students with backgrounds in physics, electrical engineering, material sciences, and chemistry. (Faculty: Shen, Yang)

Theoretical Physics
The department maintains an active research program in theoretical physics via its Field Theory Group. The principal focus of this group is on unified field theories, gravitational theory, classical and quantum field theory, and geometric methods in mathematical physics. Current research projects include: conformal and scale invariant gravity theories and unified field theories, Weyl-geometric quantization, exact solutions in Gauss-Bonnet extended gravity, classical and quantum dynamics of the gravitational field, symmetries and conservation laws in relativistic field theories, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of field theory, and application of geometrical methods in physics. Weekly seminars and ongoing collaborations with members of the USU Mathematics and Statistics Department and the University of Utah Physics Department provide an active research environment that allows for substantial interaction between students and faculty. (Faculty: Torre, Wheeler)

Physics Education
The USU Physics Department is engaged in the study of how to improve the teaching and learning of physics. The program currently emphasizes introductory and general education courses and involves development of hands-on, inquiry-based curricula for lecture and laboratory, development of associated laboratory and multimedia equipment and modules, preparation of new texts and workbooks, sponsorship of undergraduate research, and outreach to the pre-college community. (Faculty: Peak)

Complex Materials and Dynamics
Current work at USU in the interdisciplinary area of complex systems includes theoretical and experimental studies of the physical properties of granular materials, liquid flow in fractured media, and development of new data analysis techniques for uncovering evidence for determinism and computation in biological systems. (Faculty: Peak)