Theoretical and Computational Condensed-matter and Materials Physics
My group conducts theoretical and computational research in condensed-matter and materials physics. We focus on materials phenomena and applications for which the relevant physics takes place at the atomic scale. In this regime, it is usually necessary to treat the atomic interactions using quantum mechanics. Our approach is to investigate materials from first principles using Density Functional Theory. This powerful quantum-mechanical technique, whose founder won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is used widely by physicists, chemists, and materials scientists to study virtually all types of substances and their physical properties.
My research interests cover a broad range of materials and phenomena, at both the fundamental and applied levels. Specific areas of interest include: nanoparticles, surfaces of metals and ceramics, interactions of surfaces with molecules, catalysis, superlattices, electron-phonon interactions, metal oxides, and the structure and dynamics of lattice defects. Students doing a PHYS 8990 rotation in my group would gain hands-on experience with the methods and codes we use in our research by working on an individual mini-project under my direction.