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.
Planetary Astronomy
Prof Howell specializes in infrared spectorscopy and imaging
of planetary bodies, such as Jupiter's moon, Io,
in our own solar system.
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.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and students design novel techniques to detect
bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms.
Practical applications include food safety and
anti-terrorism devices. Prof. Dahnovsky
studies primary electron transfer in photosynthetic bacteria
and issues relating to the extraterrestrial origin of life.
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.
Prof Howell specializes in infrared spectorscopy and imaging of planetary bodies, such as Jupiter's moon, Io, in our own solar system.
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.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and students design novel techniques to detect
bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms.
Practical applications include food safety and
anti-terrorism devices. Prof. Dahnovsky
studies primary electron transfer in photosynthetic bacteria
and issues relating to the extraterrestrial origin of life.
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.
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.
Biophysics
Prof. Johnson and students design novel techniques to detect
bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms.
Practical applications include food safety and
anti-terrorism devices. Prof. Dahnovsky
studies primary electron transfer in photosynthetic bacteria
and issues relating to the extraterrestrial origin of life.
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.
Prof. Johnson and students design novel techniques to detect bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms. Practical applications include food safety and anti-terrorism devices. Prof. Dahnovsky studies primary electron transfer in photosynthetic bacteria and issues relating to the extraterrestrial origin of life.
Quick Links
Department of Physics
& Astronomy
Dept. 3905
Laramie, WY, 82071
phone: 307-766-6150
fax: 307-766-2652
Email:
Dept office
