Microscopy Facility

My laboratory performs research on thin films of complex oxides grown with pulsed laser deposition. We tailor the layering of these materials at the atomic level to create unique electronic environments not realized in any naturally occurring materials. We utilize several in-house characterization techniques to access the quality and basic behavior of these materials. We then perform more advanced measurements at synchrotron x-ray facilities to understand how different atomic layering schemes lead to emergent interfacial behavior at the nanometer scale. The goal of such work is to gain understanding of important phases of matter such as superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance, and topological phases.

My teaching has focused on Descriptive Physics which focuses on the concepts behind our understanding of the universe, with little mathematical formalism. Beyond this I currently teach an honors physics class on macroscopic quantum phenomena in Bose-Einstein condensates, superfluids, and superconductors. I have previously taught a special topics course on the basics of X-ray diffraction.

Research Interests:

Materials science, x-ray diffraction, pulsed laser deposition, synchrotron x-ray techniques, atomic force microscopy, low temperature electrical transport, magnetic properties of materials, interfacial materials, topological materials, electronic band structure.