Research
Several active research groups drive the Department's intellectual fervor. The Department's annual report is available from the American Institute of Physics Here.
Extragalactic Astronomy
Quasars & Active Galaxies:
Prof. Brotherton
uses the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory
as well as ground-based telescopes to conduct studies
of the energetic engines at the centers of nearly all galaxies.
Prof. Kobulnicky uses quasars and background light sources to
probe the chemical compositions and thermodynamics of the gas between galaxies.
Galaxy Surveys:
Professor Dale and
Kobulnicky are members of two Legacy Science Teams
using the upcoming Space Infrared Telescope
Facility on a 5-year mission
to understand the processes of star formation,
galaxy evolution, and dust emission from galaxies
including our own Milky Way. Professor Dale is also
leading a wide-field survey to trace the evolution in
the cosmic star formation rate over the latter half
of the age of the Universe.
Binary Star Systems and Gamma Ray Bursts
Professors Canterna, Kobulnicky, and students have active observational programs
to study multiple star systems with compact objects
or massive stars using Wyoming's Red Buttes Observatory.
These objects are the likely progenitors
of nature's most energetic explosions: Gamma-ray bursts.
Instrumentation
Professor Pierce, Howell, Kobulnicky and students
design and build new instruments for Wyoming's infrared
optimized telescope, WIRO, and other ground-based facilities.
Students have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience
building and testing astronomical detectors.
Prof. Dahnovsky investigates theoretical issues
for the design of advanced electronic devices like
quantum moecular devices, molecular wires and
fast switches using non-linear optics.
Theoretical and Plasma Physics
Dr. Thayer is currently conducting research with the Math Department on wave propogation through the ionosphere, as well as research with the Computer Science Department on computational fluid dynamics analysis of chemical plume tracing using a swarm of robotic sensors. Professor Dahnovsky works on biological electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis, theoretical chemical physics and biophysics, molecular electronic devices, nonlinear optical properties of quantum heterostructures,
dissipation of energy in large molecules, physics of glasses, femtosecond processes, and photon-assisted tunneling.
Experimental Solid State and Materials Science
Professor Tang studies spintronics and optoelectronics, magnetic semiconductors, half-metals, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of nanomaterials, tunneling magnetoresistance, and thin films. Professor Wang works on experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on applications of nanotechnology.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and his students develop ultra-sensitive techniques to
detect chemical and biological contamination in fluids. Practical
applications include the diagnoses of blood-borne infection and
monitoring environmental fresh water and seawater for pathogenic
microorganisms.
Physics Education Research and Astronomy Education Research
Professors Tim Slater (in Education), Stephanie Slater (Education), Kobulnicky, and Dale work with
graduate students and K-12 teachers under the banner of the Cognition in
Astronomy, Physics and Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team. Their
scholarly research and innovative teaching activities are shaped by the
framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and reflects an
intellectualization of what makes learning specific science topics easy or
difficult, how this changes with learners of different ages, backgrounds,
motivations, and pre-conceptions that learners carry with them, and how best
to equip teachers to teach science. The CAPER Team research effort is
focused on the scholarly development, systematic assessment, and widespread
dissemination of multiple, meaningful representations of scientific ideas,
including the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples,
explanations, demonstrations, inquiries, experiences, and engagements, that
help effective teachers and faculty engage students in science.
Quasars & Active Galaxies:
Prof. Brotherton uses the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory as well as ground-based telescopes to conduct studies of the energetic engines at the centers of nearly all galaxies. Prof. Kobulnicky uses quasars and background light sources to probe the chemical compositions and thermodynamics of the gas between galaxies.
Galaxy Surveys:
Professor Dale and Kobulnicky are members of two Legacy Science Teams using the upcoming Space Infrared Telescope Facility on a 5-year mission to understand the processes of star formation, galaxy evolution, and dust emission from galaxies including our own Milky Way. Professor Dale is also leading a wide-field survey to trace the evolution in the cosmic star formation rate over the latter half of the age of the Universe.
Professors Canterna, Kobulnicky, and students have active observational programs to study multiple star systems with compact objects or massive stars using Wyoming's Red Buttes Observatory. These objects are the likely progenitors of nature's most energetic explosions: Gamma-ray bursts.
Instrumentation
Professor Pierce, Howell, Kobulnicky and students
design and build new instruments for Wyoming's infrared
optimized telescope, WIRO, and other ground-based facilities.
Students have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience
building and testing astronomical detectors.
Prof. Dahnovsky investigates theoretical issues
for the design of advanced electronic devices like
quantum moecular devices, molecular wires and
fast switches using non-linear optics.
Theoretical and Plasma Physics
Dr. Thayer is currently conducting research with the Math Department on wave propogation through the ionosphere, as well as research with the Computer Science Department on computational fluid dynamics analysis of chemical plume tracing using a swarm of robotic sensors. Professor Dahnovsky works on biological electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis, theoretical chemical physics and biophysics, molecular electronic devices, nonlinear optical properties of quantum heterostructures,
dissipation of energy in large molecules, physics of glasses, femtosecond processes, and photon-assisted tunneling.
Experimental Solid State and Materials Science
Professor Tang studies spintronics and optoelectronics, magnetic semiconductors, half-metals, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of nanomaterials, tunneling magnetoresistance, and thin films. Professor Wang works on experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on applications of nanotechnology.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and his students develop ultra-sensitive techniques to
detect chemical and biological contamination in fluids. Practical
applications include the diagnoses of blood-borne infection and
monitoring environmental fresh water and seawater for pathogenic
microorganisms.
Physics Education Research and Astronomy Education Research
Professors Tim Slater (in Education), Stephanie Slater (Education), Kobulnicky, and Dale work with
graduate students and K-12 teachers under the banner of the Cognition in
Astronomy, Physics and Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team. Their
scholarly research and innovative teaching activities are shaped by the
framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and reflects an
intellectualization of what makes learning specific science topics easy or
difficult, how this changes with learners of different ages, backgrounds,
motivations, and pre-conceptions that learners carry with them, and how best
to equip teachers to teach science. The CAPER Team research effort is
focused on the scholarly development, systematic assessment, and widespread
dissemination of multiple, meaningful representations of scientific ideas,
including the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples,
explanations, demonstrations, inquiries, experiences, and engagements, that
help effective teachers and faculty engage students in science.
Professor Pierce, Howell, Kobulnicky and students design and build new instruments for Wyoming's infrared optimized telescope, WIRO, and other ground-based facilities. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience building and testing astronomical detectors. Prof. Dahnovsky investigates theoretical issues for the design of advanced electronic devices like quantum moecular devices, molecular wires and fast switches using non-linear optics.
Dr. Thayer is currently conducting research with the Math Department on wave propogation through the ionosphere, as well as research with the Computer Science Department on computational fluid dynamics analysis of chemical plume tracing using a swarm of robotic sensors. Professor Dahnovsky works on biological electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis, theoretical chemical physics and biophysics, molecular electronic devices, nonlinear optical properties of quantum heterostructures, dissipation of energy in large molecules, physics of glasses, femtosecond processes, and photon-assisted tunneling.
Experimental Solid State and Materials Science
Professor Tang studies spintronics and optoelectronics, magnetic semiconductors, half-metals, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of nanomaterials, tunneling magnetoresistance, and thin films. Professor Wang works on experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on applications of nanotechnology.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and his students develop ultra-sensitive techniques to
detect chemical and biological contamination in fluids. Practical
applications include the diagnoses of blood-borne infection and
monitoring environmental fresh water and seawater for pathogenic
microorganisms.
Physics Education Research and Astronomy Education Research
Professors Tim Slater (in Education), Stephanie Slater (Education), Kobulnicky, and Dale work with
graduate students and K-12 teachers under the banner of the Cognition in
Astronomy, Physics and Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team. Their
scholarly research and innovative teaching activities are shaped by the
framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and reflects an
intellectualization of what makes learning specific science topics easy or
difficult, how this changes with learners of different ages, backgrounds,
motivations, and pre-conceptions that learners carry with them, and how best
to equip teachers to teach science. The CAPER Team research effort is
focused on the scholarly development, systematic assessment, and widespread
dissemination of multiple, meaningful representations of scientific ideas,
including the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples,
explanations, demonstrations, inquiries, experiences, and engagements, that
help effective teachers and faculty engage students in science.
Professor Tang studies spintronics and optoelectronics, magnetic semiconductors, half-metals, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of nanomaterials, tunneling magnetoresistance, and thin films. Professor Wang works on experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on applications of nanotechnology.
Prof. Johnson and his students develop ultra-sensitive techniques to detect chemical and biological contamination in fluids. Practical applications include the diagnoses of blood-borne infection and monitoring environmental fresh water and seawater for pathogenic microorganisms.
Professors Tim Slater (in Education), Stephanie Slater (Education), Kobulnicky, and Dale work with graduate students and K-12 teachers under the banner of the Cognition in Astronomy, Physics and Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team. Their scholarly research and innovative teaching activities are shaped by the framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and reflects an intellectualization of what makes learning specific science topics easy or difficult, how this changes with learners of different ages, backgrounds, motivations, and pre-conceptions that learners carry with them, and how best to equip teachers to teach science. The CAPER Team research effort is focused on the scholarly development, systematic assessment, and widespread dissemination of multiple, meaningful representations of scientific ideas, including the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples, explanations, demonstrations, inquiries, experiences, and engagements, that help effective teachers and faculty engage students in science.
Quick Links
Department of Physics
& Astronomy
Dept. 3905
Laramie, WY, 82071
phone: 307-766-6150
fax: 307-766-2652
Email:
Dept office
