Research
Res earch Areas
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Anderson,
Burke-Spolaor,
Fonseca,
Lorimer,
McLaughlin,
McWilliams,
Pisano, Ybarra
This group includes six faculty members in the department with a focus on gravitational
waves, pulsars, black holes, fast radio bursts, star formation, galaxy evolution
and formation, theoretical astrophysics, and the contents and dynamics of our own
Milky Way Galaxy. Reflecting exciting new developments in astronomy, in 2016 WVU
launched a new
Center for Gravitational Waves and Cosmology. This includes ten research faculty
across Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. The
center's goal is to further gravitational wave astrophysics and cosmology through
research in radio astronomy, receiver development, and computation. Our faculty
contribute to two world-leading gravitational-wave collaborations, LIGO and NANOGrav.
The proximity of the Green Bank Observatory to WVU makes it a unique resource for
training students, doing outreach, and networking with other scientists.
Biophysics
Experimental Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Abdul-Razzaq,
Bristow,
Flagg,
Holcomb,
Johnson,
Li,
Seehra
Condensed-matter physics is the study of materials in their solid state. Many of
the recent major technological advances in consumer electronics are a direct result
of fundamental condensed matter and materials physics research. The WVU faculty
in this area synthesize different classes of materials including semiconducting,
topological, and strongly correlated, and investigate their structural, electronic,
and optical properties at the atomic scale.
Theoretical and Computational Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Condensed matter theory is the study of the physical properties of condensed phases
of matter, like solids and certain exotic liquids. This is based on the laws
of quantum physics, electrodynamics, and statistical mechanics. Understanding
the properties of these phases and being able to predict new materials capable
of hosting them is at the core of our technological advances, from biophysics and
clean energy to communication technology and quantum computation.
Optical and Laser Physics
Bristow, Flagg, Holcomb, ScimePhysics Education Research
May, Miller, Gay Stewart, John StewartThe Physics Education Research group investigates the functioning of physics courses
at WVU, what elements in those courses are most effective, and how to make those
courses more inclusive. Current efforts focus on understanding the structure of
conceptual physics knowledge and the properties of widely used conceptual physics
evaluations. We also work to improve physics teacher preparation and public outreach.
Plasma and Space Physics
Cassak, Fowler, Goodrich, Koepke, Scime, TuPlasma is called the fourth state of matter, complementing solids, liquids, and gases.
Plasmas are hot enough that atoms and molecules in the plasma break apart, with
electrons and positively charged ions not bound to each other. Over 99% of
the known matter in the universe is in the plasma state, and it is important to
studies of fusion, solar and space physics and space weather, astrophysics, and
industrial applications.
Facilities & Collaboration
The Department is supported by several in-house facilities including a machine shop and electronics shop, high-performance computational facilities for condensed matter and astrophysics and a physics cleanroom. The Department has strong collaboration with other facilities at WVU, such as the engineering fabrication and characterization facility and the bio- and health sciences facilities. Many of the research groups are affiliated with the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, WV and the DIII-D Research Program.